FASCISTS IN ITALY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20058, 22 September 1928, Page 13

FASCISTS IN ITALY.

GRAND COUNCIL'S POWERS.

CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT.

SUPREME RULE OVER COUNTRY. Australian Press Association—United Service ROME, Sept. 20. At a meeting of the Fascist Grand Council, the Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, presiding, a measure was adopted defining its constitution. The council will in future bo the supreme organ of the Fascist regime and of government, and will coordinate the activities of both. It will sit in camera. The members, who include the leaders of the Government and of the Fascist Parly, will not be paid and they will be immune from arrest or criminal proceedings, with the consent of the council. The meeting concluded amid cheers for Signor Mussolini. • Tho decisions of the council were adopted after an all-night discussion. They vest the supreme power of Italy in the council, which will be the final court of appeal on all questions of interpretation of the law. In future tho council must be consulted upon all constitutional measures. The latter include bills relating to tho succession to the Throne, the powers of Jhe King and of the Prime Minister, the composition and the. attributes of the Grand Council, the Senato and the Chamber of Deputies, the relations of the State with tho Roman Catholic Church, the responsibilities of the Government in regard to the regula- ! lion of the activities of syndicalists j and treaties which involve a modification ! of Italian territory. Moreover, the council will maintain lists of names for submission to the King in the event of vacancies for the Prime Ministership or in the Cabinet. It will also examine the lists of Parliamentary deputies. The president of the council will be the Prime Minister and the members will include the presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, members of the Cabinet, tho Chief of tho General Staff of the Fascist militia, the presidents of the Confederations of Labour, Agriculture and Industry, ex-secretaries of the Fascist Party and others who have served the country well, or are qualified to speak on subjects under discussion.