INTERVIEW WITH MUSSOLINI.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20715, 28 November 1932, Page 9

INTERVIEW WITH MUSSOLINI.

SIR THOMAS WILFORD'S RETURN. IMPRESSION OF IL DUCE. (l-X-ITKO J? r ;iiSS :,KOCIATIO'< —EI ELECTPiIC TELMHArH— COmUGHT.) (Received November 27th, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 26. Sir Thomas A\ r ilford (New Zealand High Commissioner in London) lias ieturned to London from Geneva. Interviewed by the Australian Press Association regarding his visit to Signor Mussolini at Rome, Sir Thomas said that he and Miss Isabel A\ T ilfred were ushered into the Duce's audience chamber at the Palaza Yeniezia through a door 30 feet high. They found themselves in the largest and most magnificent room, of its kind he had ever seen. At the far end Signer Mussolini sat at a plain desk, which, apart from the chairs, was tho only furniture. Mussolini was wearing a lounge suit and a black shirt and tic. He greeted them cordially in excellent English, lie discussed foreign affairs and expressed the hope that the Italians :in Now Zealand were proving themselves worthy citizens. lie was delighted with Sir Thomas AA'ilford's assurance that many of them were his personal friends. At the conclusion of 20 minutes' conversation, Mussolini chose a red lose from his desk and asked Miss Isabel AA'ilford to accept it. He then arranged for them to inspect the palace, including the Fascist Council Chamber.