Fascisti "Constitutionalism"

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 295, 25 October 1922, Page 13

Fascisti "Constitutionalism"

Although the cables make it appear diat the Fascists oppojse the Italian Government, it is clear from the British press that they are unrestrained —even assisted—<by the authorities, whose troops slioot down, not these

marauders, but the workers who merely defend their legal rights. Recently the FiasG'gts attacked Uxe Socialist municipality at Milan and tJiis the Government followed up by declaring tho Communal Council dissolved, an Extraordinary CommissJoner being appointed iai its place. This scandalous action was ostensibly (aken under a law which allows such a procedur© in cassis in which, -'for whatever reason," a Council is unable t o function. In .this case, the Government first looks on idly while the Council is prevented from fun

tioning, and then claims to invoke the law as a consequence of its own lawlessness. i£yen the Popularists (Catholic Party) ase shocked, and the Italia speaks very frankly on the subject, stating plainly that Facta, the Premier; has made the k-'mg ratify the decree of the Fascist*. The same paper points out that the only accusation that could be raked up against the Communal Council was that of shortness of money; no new trouble, and one, moreover belonging to the period of the previous (non-Socialist) Council on whose figures tho latest balance .sheet shows a clear improvement

A strong protest aga'nst Fascist outrages upon th© • Trade Unroll movement has been sent to the Italian Government by .the" International Federation of Traiie Unions (Amsterdam-) which points "out that tins Government's complicity in Fascist action Is a breach of Article 13 (unlucky number) of the Trejaftr of Versailles,, wiirdi prescribes that the members of the Leagu of Nations are to guarantee the liberty of combination of the workers.

It is clear that, were Amsterdam in Italy, the International would be promptly "dissolved"- to the accompaniment of murder and arson.