SCULLIN AND MUSSOLINI

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1930, Page 5

SCULLIN AND MUSSOLINI

INTERVIEW AT ROME Ban on Italian Migrants (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) ROME, December 13. The li<sh ■ College at -Rome gave a luncheon to the Australian Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. 11. Scullin, and Hon. Mr Brennan (Federal Minister) at the College. Later the gue ts -inspected t -e new col'ege building. They admired the view obtainable of the SabiMe and Alban inr.s. ROME, December 12. M.- J. 11. Scullin (Australian Premier) to-driy had an interview with Signor Mussolini. Premier of Italy. Mr Scullin talk ed for twenty minwith Signor Mussolini. Mr Scullin later refused’ to comment to the press on the interview, but in a conversation with Professor ValtAizin, of the Florence University, Mr Scullin pointed out that the restrictions his Government has imposed on Italian immigrants to Australia is due solely to the serious unemployment problem, an ( { that it is in nowise inspired by any unfriendliness to Italians, who were excellent workers a‘->d exemplary citizens.

ITALIAN MIGRANTS TO N.Z. (To the Editor.) Sir, —As you are aware, three Italians are on the waters and coming to New Zealand with the intention of landing and settling down here. Italy to-day is within the throes of one of the worst catacUsms in its history, all the*liberties of the subject suppressed, the SHcrcdners of human life has disappeared together with the freedom of the press and a properly elected Parliament, replaced by a few hundred robots; financially is bankrupt and politically on the verge of a real civil war. All Italians without passports are admitted in France and Austria if they can prove that they arc political refugees, and to-day every Italian is a political refugee, trying to escape from a reign of terror. Are these men going to be refused an asylum which is granted to our refugees by other European nations? Perhaps they have friends here, or small means or they are skilled men, but undoubtedly their case deserves your sympathy and support. However, iu view of the present day crisis, there would be a justification in refusing permission to land to a great number of refugees as in Australia, but not to three men who arc looking to New Zealand as the land of hope and freedom, 1 even would justify our Government to send a note to the Italian Regime (not Government) that no more Italians would be allowed to land here but a refusal Hot to let these men land here would be a wrong and reproach to our democracy. —I ab, etc., H. COLONNA, Fiduciario for N.Z. of the Italian League of the Rights of Man. 85, Cathedral Square, Christchurch; 8/12/30.