FASCISM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 30, 22 January 1929, Page 5

FASCISM

NEW ELECTION PENDING. (United Press Association—By Cable— Copyright.] lAußtraiian and N.Z Press Association.) (Received 22, 10.15 a.m.) Rome, Jan. 21. The old Parliament has dissolved and elections under the new system have been fixtsd for March 24. It was stated in May of last year that the Italian 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 corporation and institutions, would be substituted at the beginning of 1929. 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 tho Fascist State. It is not true that the people are sovereign through popular parties. In other countries what happens is that iilesponsible 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 1 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 to-day is different from that of 1848.”