NO LONGER HOSTILE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 336, 18 January 1937, Page 6

NO LONGER HOSTILE.

Attittude Of Italians To British. 1 Press Association —Copyright. Dunedin, Last Night. “There was a marked difference in the attitude of the Italian people to the British last month from the attitude of 16 months ago. The first time I visited Italy the ship was berthed at Naples and every action was closely watched and regarded as hostile, but last month when at Sicily the residents were very friendly,” said Mr A. Mercer, wireless operator of the steamer Vinemoor, when it berthed at Ravensbourne. Mr Anthony Eden seemed to be the only Englishman whom the Italian people whole-heartedly despised. They even went so far as to scratch his name on the deckhouses and sides of British vessels as an expression of their opinion. The Italian Press was heavily censored and as only the Italian ofiicial point of view was published, the people did not know the full facts, but Britain's Foreign Minister was apparently not in favour with Mussolini. Mussolini, although reported to have spies everywhere, was not, popular with the people of Sicily. It was dangerous to mention his name, although one wharf labourer very ably demonstrated his opinion of II Duce in none too complimentary terms and in very bad English. “The people are very poor, food is both bad and scarce, and clothes ragged,” added Mr Mercer. Shoals ’of children begged for food, while even the ship’s agent, who was a somebody in the community, was over whelmed when his request for butter was granted, .