ITALY TO-DAY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 16

ITALY TO-DAY

IS MUSSOLINI AN ACCIDENT? Books about present-day Italy resolve themselves iuto books about Mussoliui. If he has created a new Italy he has also created a literature about himself, ills admirers hail him as a demigod; his detractors prophesy the ruin of his country and a tragic end for himself, but critics of a judicial temper can see both the good and the bad sides of his dictatorship. To this latter class belongs Sir Frank Fox. His "Italy, To-day," reviews the whole situation from the standpoint of history and of results, and its forecast is marked by very commendable caution. The author describes Italy as governed to-day like an English public school The atmosphere of the school is generated by loyalty to the institution, and in Fascism the emotion of patriotism is made the mainspring of conduct. Duty is the first and controlling idea, and no man may speak of his rights or privileges until he has done his duty to his country. Indeed, there are no rights.' klan is not born with rights. He enters life invested with duty to his State, and the State decides what liberties and privileges ho is to enjoy. This is the heart and soul of Fascism. Mount Sinai is not a mound of ballot boxes. Mussolini has his eye on the ancient Homan State, which made the Commonwealth everything. There is no idea of putting the church first. The first duty is implicit obedience to the State, and even religious rites have o motive of patriotism. Cavour used tne forces of the lievolution as the instrument for securing national unity, but Parliamentary parties split up into groups, whose aims became personal and sordid. The system became corrupt. The Government did not govern, and but for Fascism would have allowed Italy to be Bolshovised from end to end. Then came Mussolini, and for five years he has ruled with a rod of iron. The old Homan actors' Fasces, a bundle of staves, with an axe projecting, is the symbol of national power, but must not be narrowly interpreted as denoting torture apd execution. Hods denote righteous measure in business, and the axe denotes the clearing of paths and making of bridges. The Fasces symbol represent above all things, unity. Parliament exists more in name than in fact. The Lower House has no power except of assent, "['here is not. in Italy and will not be under Fascism, any legislative body elected by the mass of the people which will have any real power." Elective municipal bodies have also passed away. Each province is under the care of a prefect, appointed by the Government. The ballot box is consigned to tho museum in Italy. Mussolini is determined to secure and maintain Italy’s status as one of the Great Powers,' but Sir Frank Fox does not think this will endanger the peace of Europe. The Balkan question is a possible ground of anxiety. The campaigns organised are those against the malarial mosquito, against waste in the public service, and for better wheat, and Juliet use of the nation’s, water power. Curiously enough, Mussolini tries to secure fair play in • labour quarrels by means of compulsory judicial arbitration. Employers and employees may .set nn a joint council to settle controversies; if the council fails, the issue must go to iudicial decision. The system works well in Italy. Taxation is high. 38.10 per cent, of the national income, ns coinnared with 27.30 ner cent, in Great Britain. The cost of living is falling. Since 1921 unemployment has fallen f.om .541,000 to 181.000. Emigration is decreasing. Schools aim not at making clerks, but mechanics. Education aims at culture .“religions, intellectual, aesthetic, and practical. Censorship of films is largely entrusted tn the mothers of the community, with tile result that the censorship is the strictest in the world. Sir Frank Fox says Fascism, is far more revolutionary than Bolshevism, for it demands a now habit pt' thought. He learned that Mussolini’s "political testament’’ will nominate to the King a successor. but the Dictator is uow only 42, and with plenty of vigour. . This is a discriminating and most informing book.