ITALY’S ATTITUDE

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1940, Page 8

ITALY’S ATTITUDE

SIGNOR GAYDA’S STATEMENT. LONDON, March 11. Signor Gayda, in the “Giornalc d’ltalia,” states that the question of making peace is for Finland and Russia alone. What interests the rest of Xirope was the possibility of lastmmute intervention by Frame and Britain. He shows concern at this possibility. . from the Italian point of view, the war is uncertain in its outcome and, above all, anti-European. In the long run, Germany’s powers of resistance may be worn out but thi« method of war may eventually also cause serious, even irreparable, damage to the Allies, not only economically and financially, but also in regard to their imperial interests. The more scattered and greater these interests. the more vulnerable they are.

These opinions are expressed in an 'article in the London Sunday Des- ' patch from the pen of Signor Gayda, ‘the famous Italian publicist. I Among their reasons for being so I certain of victory, Signor Gayda says, France and Britain brag about the superiority of their economic and financial means and their maritime and political dominion throughout the world. This is naturally a theme which must be linked with the problem of that “better Europe” which echoes so frequently in speeches in the belligerent countries . It is evident that, so long as there exist in the world a few countries so powerful as to give them almost automatically an assured victory before even a war is fought, there cannot be in Europe a healthy balance of power, nor, therefore, a real guarantee of peace. The Versailles system has increased instead of diminished the disparity of resources between European nations, out of proportion to their quality and their human and civil rights. From the inevitable crisis of this system arose first fhe European political crisis lasting 20 years, and subsethe new war.” In the new “better Europe,” whicn is to be one of the bright outcomes of peace, equilibrium must be established. THE MEDITERRANEAN. Another boast of the power of the two democracies frequently echoes through the British and French press: That England is in a position to close the Mediterranean at her I discretion because she has in her hands the control of its entrance and exit.

| By what are these newspaper claims prompted? I Do they wish to remind Italy of ! her position as a potential prisoner in the Mediterranean? i The dissertations of the French i and British press on the possible ! closing of the Mediterranean warns lus in time that the present position dees not coincide with that just European order, which should infer the freedom and parity of positions for all nations. Italy’s conception of a better Eu-rope,-is very simple. Italy does not seek in Europe oi' the world any particular privilege for herself. She is against all sysj terns which give obvious or hidden supremacy to one nat'on or nations. I She has still some vital problems to be settled, problems which were ag- ; gravated instead of solved by the 'Versailles system. The solution of i Italian needs cannot be further decayed. It is now necessary that all the great European Powers under- ’ stand this clearly.

It is necessary that they shall recognise and accept these particular Italian needs and rights, which are summarised in two phrases: Free and fertile space for expansion of the Italian population, which only the right to work and produce in peace on Italian territory; freedom of life and movement of the Italian nation, which is entitled to claim the elimination of every system of foreign control. But Italy maintains that her needs can find their solution in a more balanced, sane, and just Europe than that which came out of the Versailles work shop. How will this Europe be formed? With what power of war or peace? It is still difficult to foresee. Certainly Italy does not intend to be absent from its formation. To this end Italy follows the new European conflict and the course of events not as a neutral Power but merely as a Power not to-day directIly interested but ready for any evenI tuality of peace or war. ! HOPES TO LIMIT WAR. ) Italy? would like to hope that to reach the New European order the extension of the war would not be necessary. Her policy hitherto, has been to limit the conflict, and, in fact, she has been able to succeed, notwithstanding the threatening clouds which first appeared in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. But only the course of events and the development of political and military 7 plans of the belligerents will show whether the war can be confined to its present sphere. Soviet Russia’s advance into Dannbian Europe and her pressure on Balkan Europe bring, in the meantime, new problems. Does a Communist menace, such as many foreign newspapers would like to make out, really exist in South-east Europe? Italy cannot be indifferent to this contingency. In fact, Italy’s interests are permanent and vital, as she borders on Danubian Europe and ha-to-day become the greatest Balkan Power of Europe. BARRIER TO COMMUNISM. Italy is not prompted by any aggressive plans against Soviet Russia and for this her attitude is different from that of other great Powers. Italy intends only to prevent the expansion of Communism and its consequent threat to civilisation, order, and sanity in Europe. Italy’s policy in regard to Communism is in substance an integral part of her policy of a sane and civil European order. Soviet Russia may remain tranquil inside her own bor- ■ ders and Italy will have no objection.'

But if Communism should attempt to advance towards zones of vital interest to Europe and Italy, Fascism will know how to reply.

That, the average gold miner was a born optimist was inferred by the mining warden, Mr W. H. Freeman, in the Paeroa Warden’s Court, when he replied to a statement made by a solicitor, who claimed that if not given an opportunity the miners would drift to other occupations. “No, they won’t” replied the Magistrate. “They will be there when they are 90 if they are gold miners.” Counsel for the miners admitted that they had hearts of lions.

There was only one section in the Taranaki county where any ragwort was showing when he inspected county sections with a view to having any ragwort cleared, reported the inspector, Mr R. Aroa, at a meeting of the Taranaki County Council. A number of other farmers had been asked to have the weed cleared from their holdings.

Another West Coast local body 7, the Kumara Borough Council, has failed to respond to the Defence League’s request for support in its proposal to press the Government to introduce universal compulsory 7 national service. The Council, at its monthly meeting decided to take no action, as it considered the matter was properly one for the Government itself to decide.

Vehicles of the Auckland branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade made a record number of trips, 54one day last week. While the total mileage was not a record, several of the trips were long ones. There were seven journeys to the North Shore, including one to the further side of Silverdale. Besides sickness cases, three accidents and a number of collapses were attended.' The Devonport ambulance was also busy.

After several years of experiment, control of a large area of infested land in the Putaruru district is claimed have been secured through the introduction of the ragwort seed fly. It was stated by Mr A. A. Rigger, on whose property at Putaruru the work has been carried out, that the fly had become acclimatised to New Zealand conditions, and full satisfaction with the results had been expressed by Mr D. Miller entomologist at the Cawthron Institute, Nelson.

Exceptional large consignments of stock are being railed to Canterbury this week following the hold-up in the transport of stock from the West Coast to Canterbury due to the slips on the Midland line. Thirty-six trucks of sheep and lambs and 10 of cattle were railed to Christchurch last evening for the Addington market to-day, and for freezing works. To-night’s bookings include five trucks of sheep and lambs, and two of cattle, while for to-morrow night’s goods train, 36 trucks of sheep and lambs are booked.

Childish delight knew no bounds when the Arawa haka party irom the Maori Battalion gave a stirring presentation at the Centennial fireworks display in Palmerston North, but some in the front of the seated throng who had been edging closer and clos* er had more than a view of the proceedings. The leader of the party, in a wild gesticulating dash, reached the very forefront of the crowd and there demonstrated the wild and fearsome final act in the haka. A moment before wildly vociferous and highly amused the children now became dumb with apprehension. Some were, doubtless mere than a little glad when this wild man returned to the centre of the haka.

It is possible that in the near future the Westport Coal Company’s steamer Canopus, which has been laid up at Port Chalmers for the past two years after spending a long time in the coastal coal trade, will be sold to a Sydney company. Built in 1903 specially for the coal trade between Westport and Lyttelton, the Canopus, which is of 1337 tons, was later put on to the Westport-Auckland coal run when the Otira tunnel was opened, maintaining a regular schedule between her ports. During her last annual survey, however, it was found that her two boilers required replacement, but as this was considered too expensive an undertaking she has since been 'idle. Otherwise the ship is in good condition, and it is stated that the firm negotiating for her purchase has two boilers which could be installed,