NEW ITALY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 374, 8 November 1932, Page 7

NEW ITALY

RESULT OF TEN-YEAR REGIME OF FASCISTS. NEW SPIRIT EVIDENT. London, Saturday. "Fascism has changed the face of Italy," says the Rome correspondent of The Times, reviewing its result after 10 years of its operation. Land has been reclaimed, farming has been modernised, imp-orts of grairi have almost been eliminated, roads have been improved, and town-plan-ning in Rome and oth'er cities has created splendid new areas, r'evealing architectural beauties. Afforestation has re-clothed the hills; water ha!s been brought to arid districts; harbours have been 'enlarged and re-equipped. Whatever Faseism's defects, these these results, he says, could not have been achieved but for the new spirit which Signor Mussolini has breathed into his countrymen. Nevertheless, Fascism has a strangle grip upon the central and local government, the judicature, the Civil Service, and the newspapers, which are merely the Fascists' mouthpieces. The Pope was right when, in last year's encyclical, he taunted the Government with compelling Italians to pose as Fascists in order to save their skins and earn their daily bread. His Burning Patriotism. Mussolini has failed to convince the older Italians, who, however, remain silent owing to the widespread espdonage; but he has monopolised the education of the younger generation by various organisations, including the militia, resulting in their acceptance of and obedience to Fascism as something normal. He has also encouraged sport, producing Italy's Olympic successes at Los Angeles. Moreover, Mussolini has inculcated his own burning patriotism into the nation as a whole, until now Italy is included among the great Powers. The authority which Mussolini's voice carries in the world to-day is the! measurie of Italy's increased stlrength, efficiency, and newborn national consciousness. In a leading article, The Times emphasises that while Fascism has eost Italy its political liberty, * its authority springing not from the people, but from one man, that man has kept a level head. In unchallenged authority, Mussolini's greatness has shown an increased moderation and willingness to oo-operate with the Powers, if their plans are calculated to promote the common good.