PLOUGH AND SWORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 300, 19 December 1934, Page 7

PLOUGH AND SWORD.

Mussolini Inaugurates New

Province,

PONTINE MARSHES DRAINED. (Received 12.30 p.m.) ROME, December 18. "The plough traces the furrow, but the sword defends it," declared Signor Mussolini, in a broadcast speech inaugurating the new Italian province of Littorio. The land is reclaimed Pontine Marshes between Naples and Rome.

He added that 10 years of work remained, and great strength of arms was needed to prevent its interruption.

Prior to its conquest by Rome in 358 8.C., the area covered by the Pontine Marshes—some 18-25 miles long and 4 1 /i-5 miles wide —was studded with towns and villages. Under the Romans, however, the drainage works fell into disuse, and nothing was done until Appitis Claudius constructed the Appian Way through the district in 312 B.C. . For centuries afterwards the marshes were universally avoided, although lying less than 25 miles south-east of Rome. A scheme to bring the area under cultivation and to rid it of its .malarial atmosphere, was started by the Italian Government in' 1899. Signor Mussolini has since spent large sums in employing thousands of men to,drain the swamps and grow wheat in the reclaimed area. The first harvest of any importance was reaped last year, Signor Mussolini himself aiding in the task.