Italy under dictatorship

Rome: The debates in the Chamber of Deputies during the past week were curiously unreal owing to the deliberate absence of the whole of the Opposition party as a protest against the dictatorship. A debate on foreign policy was concluded yesterday, when a motion of confidence in Signor Mussolini was carried by 315 votes to 6. There were 26 abstentions. Signor Mussolini declared that a long peace was necessary for Italy. Her foreign policy heretofore had been conducted via Paris, London and sometimes Athens. He did not intend to ask permission from Paris, London or anyone else. At the same time there was no intention of showing hostility to any Power. Signor Giolitti (an ex-Premier) caused a sensation when he announced his intention of voting against the Government, on the ground of its press restrictions. He demanded that the Italian people should not be treated as though they were unworthy of the freedom they had enjoyed in the past. The fierceness with which political passions at present are raging appears to have given the impression abroad that the Fascist Government is tottering, but the tension in Rome contrasts with the general tranquility in the country despite sporadic demonstrations and acts of violence, and wholesale duels between factionaries on both sides, mostly ex-servicemen claiming a monopoly of patriotism. The continual repetition of such incidents undoubtedly tends to weaken the prestige of the Government and the popularity of Fascism, but there are no indications of the early fall of Signor Mussolini, whose position in Parliament is unshakable.

 

A distinguished visitor to Dunedin at the present time is a Fijian chief, Ratu Deve Tognivalu, who is accompanied by his son Ratu George. They reached Auckland by the steamer Tofu’a on November 3, and arrived in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon by the express from the north. The visitors were introduced to a number of prominent citizens yesterday, and spent the day sight-seeing around the city and its environs. They leave by to-morrow’s express for the north. Ratu Deve holds the important Government position of Roko Tui Bua, or chief of the province of Bau. Ratu George, his son, will be remembered by many thousands of New Zealanders as George Browne, who was with the Twenty-first Reinforcements at the front, and was one of the most popular men in the ranks. George, while still in his teens, being anxious to serve King and country, ran away from Fiji under the name of Browne, and enlisted with the New Zealand forces in which he had a distinguished record. Ratu Deve and his son intend to tour New Zealand, and will not return to Fiji until after Christmas. This is the first time Ratu Deve has ventured from his own country, and he views with wonder the modern innovations of the centres he has visited.

 

There was a large attendance of wireless enthusiasts, including a number of ladies, in the City Council Chamber last night, when the present position in regard to broadcasting was discussed. The Mayor, Mr H.L. Tapley said that he had called the meeting in consequence of remarks broadcasted by Mr F.J. O’Neill, from station 4YA some months ago that he could not guarantee further concerts. Mr R.C. Jones (president of the Otago Radio Association), said that a dominion project in connection with broadcasting had already been formed,. The scheme outlined contained proposals for the establishment of a 500 watt station in each of the four centres. The company which was being formed would be under the control of the Government, and would be conducted in the interests of the listeners-in. Mr Jones explained that it was very probable that the Government would take over Mr O’Neill’s station.

 

Local fruiterers were bitterly disappointed with the new season’s strawberries, which came to hand from Central Otago during the week-end. One Dunedin merchant told a Daily Times reporter that he had bought a large consignment on Saturday and when he opened business yesterday he found that most of the fruit was pulp. It is understood that this was also the experience of several other fruiterers, whose strawberries were consequently unfit for sale. — ODT, 18.11.1924