THE REAL MUSSOLINI

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1927, Page 4

THE REAL MUSSOLINI

BRITISH GENERAL'S IMPRESSIONS.

“Mussolini is a mail of commanding personality, and is worshipped by his followers, and although his enemies may charge him with being theatrical lie alone is the best judge ol how he m)iy best impress his own people,” declared Brigadier-General Charles Rudking, who landed at Auckland from the Tahiti last week. •

“If Mussolini were to die or be killed to-morrow. Fascism would he sufficiently strong to carry on by itself, or another strong, man would arise ill his place, for Italy has never wanted for a patriot,” said the General, who is making his present world tour to recuperate after two years’ strenuous Parliamentary duties ns Independent member for West Sussex.

“In the United States I found public feeling towards Mussolini fairly evenly divided,” General Rudking said. “The average man knows very Title about the real Mussolini and his great work. You hear a lot about the people who are opposed to him, but in Italy there are thousands of followers who are satisfied with him. and leel sale under his rule. Mussolini is not seeking liis own ends, hut has put his beloved country before everything. Apart from the registered Fascists, Mussolini has an enormous following of people who belong to no particular political party.”

Continuing. General Rudking declared that it alls due almost solely to Mussolini's organising ability that the whole of Italy’s railway system was being gradually electrified. Following the war, the cost of coal had reached an exorihtant figure, and so Mussoliiif had had huge hydro-electric works established, power being harnessed from the inland lakes. As regards agriculture, Mussolini had' been responsible for the reclamation of much valuable land, and a substantial increase in the area, of the corn holts. Finally. General Rudking said that, under Mussolini, the Italian people had become ail orderly, hiird-working,

and prosoerous. GENERAL RUDKINGNS RECORD. Brigadier-General Rudking has a distinguished war record, lie first saw service in tho South African War. 1899-1902. being for a time A.D.C. to Lord Methuen, and later in command of v composite brigade of artillery. Throughout the late war he was on active .service, being in Belgium, Franco, and Italy. During these years he commanded an artillery division at Ypres, on the,Somme, on the Riavc, and on the Asiago Plateau, in Italy! He was twice wounded. For his services General Rudking was awarded the D.S.O. and the Mcdaglia al V a lore which is equivalent to the Victoria Cross in the British Army. lie also received the Croce di CueriM, another Italian decoration. General Rudking was also mentioned in dispatches. This is not General Rudking’s first visit to New Zealand, for he was here some 35 years ago. On that, oeen-* sion he miide a sensational bicycle ride from Nelson down the West Coast, narrowly escaping death hv drowning on two occasions.