THE "NEW ITALY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 8

THE "NEW ITALY."

STRIKING CHANGES. ITALIAN DOCTOR'S VISIT. NO ANIMOSITY TO BRITISH. "There is no real animosity among the Italians toward the British people concerning the Italian-Abyssinian campaign. and the imposition of sanctions,"' said Dr. F. Piscitelli, a noted Italian doctor, now of Queensland, on his arrival in Auckland by the Monterey this morning. Dr. Piscitelli is returning to Australia by the steamer after a holiday in Italy and other parts of th'j world. He had not visited his native country for about 11 vears.

Dr. Piscitelli said the Italians were opposed, of course, to Britain's action and attitude in the matter, but any outward and visible manifestations of feelings were solely toward Britain's foreign policy and not to the peoples of the British Empire. English tourists were as welcome in Italy and as courteously treated as they had been before political relations were changed.

Dr. Piseitelli mentioned that Signor Mussolini planned to make Italy economically independent from an agricultural point of view. Those efforts were being attended with every success, illustrations being provided by the agricultural activities in the new centres of Littoria, Saubadia and Aprilia, which had been reclaimed from the Pontine marshes. Utilising slave labour, a Roman emperor liad unsuccessfully tried to convert these swamp lands near Rome into arable pastures and industrial sites, and the work had now been achieved by Siinor Mussolini with the willing co-operation of his Fascist supporters. .Speaking of the "New Italy,,"' Dr. Piseitelli said the Fascist Government had effected many notable changes and improvements. Living conditions had been greatly improved and he was very impressed with tlu modern blocks of Hats for workmen found in the new towns on the Pontine marshes—towns which Signor Mussolini in person had helped to construct —and throughout Italy. The work of electrification of railways was well advanced, and in this respect Italy, in terms of area and population, could compare favourably with any country in the world. The population of Italy, lie added, was solidly behind II Duce. Further proof of the fine work being carried out by Signor Mussolini and the Fascist Government was to life seen in the colony of Tripoli.