ITALIAN EMBASSY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 3, 28 September 1939, Page 9

ITALIAN EMBASSY

Count Grandi’s Message

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, September 26.

The Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, has received a telegram from Count Grandi, former Italian Ambassador in London and now Minister of Justice, expressing sincere regret at being unable to return to London to take official leave of the King and Queen and the British Government, and Count Grandi hoped in the near future to be able to go. Count and Countess Grandi are kindly remembered by a very large circle of friends which they made during their seven years’ stay in Britain. Real regret is felt at their departure. Meanwhile the arrival of the new Italian Ambassador, Signor Guiseppe Bastianini, is warmly awaited.

AUSTRALIA’S EFFORT

Cost Of Defence Measures

CANBERRA, September 27.

The Assistant Federal Treasurer, Mr. Spender, issued a statement showing that the defence liabilities incurred by the Commonwealth Government since the outbreak of war amounted to about £16,800,000. The enlistment of 20,000 men in the special defence force will cost in the vicinity of £4,500,000 a year for pay and allowances and camp expenses apart from equipment.

FRENCH COMMUNISTS

Action By Government PARIS, September 26. The Council of Ministers has dissolved the Communist Party and all its

affiliations.

AIR RAID shelters in BRITAIN

LONItOX. September 2<>. Free airraid shelters to the number of 1,303,000 have been allocated. They will provide accommodation for •Sjooo,ooo peogh’