FASCISM AND HOLIDAY MAKING

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1929, Page 8

FASCISM AND HOLIDAY MAKING

“ One must suffer to be beautiful,” says the “Daily Telegraph,” “the proverb warns us. One must suffer also, it appears, to be a Fascist. Signor Mussolini has 1 announced, by circular to his Cabinet, that he will not take any holiday this year. The inevitable corollary that none of the Ministers will take any must be sadly clear to them. How much farther the grand principle will be enforced. we have no information. The thought of the whole Italian Civil Service abjuring holidays ■must arouse emotion in every sensitive spirit. Many great men have scorned the holiday habit. There was Mr Scrooge, who only allowed one day in the year and grudged that. There was John Gilpin, who, as his wife protested, through ‘ twice ten tedious years,’ no holidays had seen. But Signor Mussolini makes it a matter of political principle, v ‘ Fascism,’ thus he is reported, ‘ must • guard against holidays. They are the invention olf democracy.’ For 'this he could no doubt make a case. Demos will vote itself all the holidays it can get and the shortest days of work. But an historian might remind 11 Duce that the custom of regular work day in and day out is a modern invention, practically coincident with industrial democracy.”