AN EXPELLED BARON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 16 (Supplement)

AN EXPELLED BARON.

/■ANGER OF, ,THE FASCISTS. 'OPPOSED TO SYNDICALISM, iFCLL FREEDOM FOR EMPLOYERS. A great impression was recently caused 1n the north of Italy by the expulsion from tho Fascist Parly of Baronc Mazzonis, a wealthy industrialist in Piedmont, who supported Fascism from the first hour and gavo immense sums to forward tlie movement. He was accused of havinc, J 'hv every art and artifice, prevented Fascist Syndicalism from penetrating into his various textile factories." The official bulletin explaining the enormity of the offence, may serve as a future vade mecum for industrialists in Italy, says (ho Ronio correspondent of tho •London Daily Telegraph. It reads: "Every Black Shirt in tho province, every Fascist, industrialist, and especially those ■who have not as yet- understood that it is impossible to be good Fascists without ■being excellent Syndicalists, are to know what has happened: Oh, irony ! Out of the r thousands of factory bauds under Barono 'Mazzonis, even including thoso belouging to the Fascio of Torre Pellice, only one workman joined tho Fascist Syndicates, which comprise** 120.000 members in tho Turin district. "This incomprehension occurs after eeven years of the Fascist regime, and after patient endeavours on the part of ■the local authorities to entice Barone Mazr.onis into a Syndicalist atmosphere. Fascism is not Feudalism: and the punishment inflicted upon Barone Mazzonis will serve as a warning to the lukewarm, and as a comfort to thoso others who have given proofs of loyalty to the party since Syndicalism has been started." Baron's Blameless Record. The political past of the recalcitrant baron has been blameless, even from a Fascist point of view. A bitter opponent of Nitti and Giolitti, and .indeed of any democratic government, he ran his factories well and has always shown practical interest in his workers' welfare, giving them dormitories, refectories, etc., but he lias invariably set his face against imposed obedience. In a serious dispute with his workers soon after the war the baron refused to accept an arbitration settlement, and, w hen the prefect .of Turin officially insisted upon compliance, the baron answered by declaring a lock-out. Tho Government threatened to occupy and nationalise the factory, but as a Ministerial crisis followed the threat was never carried into effect. This millionaire philanthropist welcomed the advent of Fascism because he thought, like many other employers and landowners, that it would not troublo about collective interests, but would facilitate tho development of individual enterprise and interests. A Shabby Personality. Barone Mazzonis is a considerable personality in Piedmont and Lombardy. Ho is as open handed and grand seigneur in acts as he is negligent of his own personal comforts and appearance. If ono met him in the street, attired in antediluvian clothes and shabby hat, ho would be tempted to give him alms, and would ne\er think that lie is the man who often makes up the deficit of the Royal Theatre at Turin. The baron drives about in an open motor-ear ho bought thirty years ago which is known in the whole countrybide as the "baron's coffee-machine," and, at the ago of 70, he may be seen about in it in all weathers. It is felt that he will face the latest storm with perfect calm.