MUSSOLINI’S RULE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4406, 25 January 1930, Page 4

MUSSOLINI’S RULE.

GREAT PROGRESS IN ITALY.

NEW ZEALANDER IMPRESSED.

The great progress of Italy antler Signor Mussolini impressed Mr. F. Milner, C.M.G., who visited that country in the course of a world tour which concluded with his arrival at Auckland by the Ulimaroa recently.

Mr. Milner said that he had entered Italy with the pfre-eonceived idea that Mussolinism was a spiritual blight and that its blessings were due to journalistic sycophancy or interested “eyewash.” A study of conditions there, however, made him realise that Mussolini, by. the force of compelling personal magnetism, had really accomplished a great wolrk of national regeneration. The financial condition of Italy was sound; agricultural settlement and development were proceeding apace; the works of irrigation and reclamation and fertilisation were sound earnest of an effective programme; emigration was discouraged, yet unemployment was relatively insignificant; there were no dislocations of industry, and the development and unifying of natural consciousness and pride were most marked. Mussolini’s campaign embraced a new development of physical culture and a revival of old historical ceremonies, which make for continuity of national tradition.

The manufacturing industries of Italy'had been fostered at an amazing rate. Everywhere one was in a tie conscious of the beneficent effects of a purposeful individualistic regime over a people who never in the past realised democracy, and were naturally prone to acceptance of dictation. The importance of the preceding regime and its vulnerability to communistic penetration acted as a splendid foil to the organised efficiency of the present benevolent autocracy.