SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 170, 6 April 1923, Page 7

SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

DOMINATING PERSONALITY VICTORIAN PREMIER’S ' IMPRESSIONS BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT. (Rec. April 5, 5.5 p.m.)

London, April 4. Mr. H. S. AV. Lawson, Premier of Victoria, returned to London to-night after a tour on the Continent. Interviewed by tho Australian I ress Association, he said that the most important event of his tour, apart from rhe sightseeing, was his interview with Signor Mussolini, Premier of Italy, which took place in the Premier s office, by appointment,, and lasted 30 minifies. Conversatiqn was mostly through an interpreter,. although Signci Mussolini explained that he could follow English if it was spoken slowly. Mr. Lawson explained that ho called in his official capacity as Premier to convey respects on .behalf of tho Government of Victoria. He expressed tho opinion that Signor Mussolini appeared to have been effective in enforcing his policy. He was rather surprised when tho next day’s Italian papers represented him as expressing approval of Signor Mussolini’s .policy, which was rather different from what ho really meant. Signor Mussolini dZ not refer to Italian migration, and referred only in general non-committal terms to Australia, and also to international subjects. Mr. Lawson was deeply impressed by Signor Mussolini’s appearance.’ Although not tall, he was obviously w strong man, with a singularly powerful personality. During his visit to the Italian Parliament, which is now in recess, Mr. Lawson was informed that although Signor Mussolini’s followers wero only 35 out of a House of 500, he so dominated members that he was able to dictate the terms of the prorogation. Mr. Lawson remarked incidentally, to the Australian Press representative' ' that personally -ho had all his work cut out to manage the Victorian Parliament, with three parties, but Signor Mussolini appeared supremely successful with 11 parties. He was informed that prior to tho Fascist upheaval Italy was honeycombed with Bolshevism. Ho did not havo. either tho time or the inclination to investigate, but ho understood tho Fascist! represented an extraordinarily effective patriotic movement. The FascTfetr had overwhelmed Bolshevism because they had tho backing of tho people. Personally he found in the Italian cities he visited evidence of profound admiration and most sincere affection for Signor Mussolni. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.