PLAYING AT FASCISM.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 48 (Supplement)

PLAYING AT FASCISM.

fJU ■ ' ~~ e=? aursncs or Mxrssouoa. f - BATTLE JOINED Ef ITALY. "In England now," as Browning ■wonld have put it, ladies and gentlemen with not a great deal to occupy their time are putting it in by forming organisations of British Fascisti, and some of the papers are poking more or less sedate fan at their monogram, "8J , ." Nobody takes them very seriously, although a few Communists recently -went out of their way to break up a meeting of British Fascists, and found themselves before a police Court in consequence, says an English writer. In Italy, -where Fascism is really Fascism, the position ia different. The Fascist murder of Deputy Matteotti provoked feelings of revulsion, but owing to the iron grip which the Fascists maintained on the Press, little public utterance could be given to them. For a time, indeed, it seemed as if the main party were inclined to ostracise the more violent section; but now it acems aa jf the methods of Fascism are •not to undergo any permanent change. Indeed, the meetings in Home of the National Council of the organisation have resulted in the disappearance of all schism among Mussolini's followers, and the veto upon all meetings of the Opposition is as strong as ever. It is proclaimed that the functions of the IdbeTal and Democratic State have been' exhausted, and that a purely Fascist State must create new institutions. A reform of Parliament and of the Constitution is definitely announced, and it is indicated that Parliamentary rights arc to pass to Fascist unions and corporations. There ia even talk of an Italian nation governed by guilds of technicians and workmen on the medieval model. Fascism, in short, has sunk its boats and burnt its bridges, and baa turned its liberal and democratic supporters to the door. It has become a political phalanx, self-supporting and self-contained, permitting no intrusion and brooking no argument. The consequent resignation of non-Fascist Ministers and Deputies must logically follow, giving rise in turn to a Parliamentary crisis which will afford Mussolini an opportunity of carrying the Fascist revolution to its conclusion. The battle is joined. Despite its boast that the majority of the country is with it, the Fascist party, in its attack upon the present Italian Constitution, is on perilous ground. Meantime the Opposition is consolidating, and the Italian people are beginning to -wonder if it 13 safe to shackle the country to the chariot l wheels of one party, and that a party led by ilussoSnL But the British Fascist! continue to play at politics, while the clouds lower on the Irish horizon, and the city's resentment at the terms of Ehe Treaty ■with. Rnssia hourly grows deeper.