ITALY’S CONSTITUTION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 191, 15 May 1928, Page 9

ITALY’S CONSTITUTION

A PROFOUND CHANGE

ABOLITION OF CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES

MUSSOLINI EXPLAINS FASCIST OBJECT

A profound change has been made in the Constitution of Italy, the Chamber of Deputies having been abolished, and will be replaced by a new Fascist Chamber to tie selected. Signor Mussolini, in explaining tiie Fascists’ object, declared that universal suffrage was a mere fiction.

(United Press Association.—B.v Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. May 14, 7.30 p.m')

London, May 14.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says the Senate by 161 votes to 45 abolished the Chamber of Deputies. A new Fascist Chamber, to consist of 400 members to be selected by the Grand Council from a list supplied by corporations and institutions, will be substituted at the beginning of 1020. Three hours sufficed to decide on the profound constitutional change. Several Senators ventured to criticise the proposal, declaring that the change violated the principles of liberty and popular suffrage. They were frequently interrupted by Government supporters.

Signor Mussolini, replying, said: “The Fascist object is not to create a colourless Assembly, but one based on fact. Labour syndicates henceforward will be part and parcel of the Fascist State. It is not true that the people are sovereign through popular parties. In other countries what happens is that irresponsible electioneering committees propose candidates. The electors are merely asked to ratify the choice. Universal suffrage is thus a mere fiction. As regards the Constitution, no principles are eternal. The only eternal law I know of is the Decalogue of Moses. The Commandments are good for all nations and peoples, in all latitudes and longitudes. But to discover them Moses had almost to be struck by lightning on Mount Sinai. Ours has seen its day. I respect the chivalry of those who stand guard round the Holy Sepulchre, but the tomb is empty. The Constitution is dead, because Italy today is different from that of 1848.”