ALL-FASCIST PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20236, 22 April 1929, Page 11

ALL-FASCIST PARLIAMENT

CEREMONIAL OPENING.

CROWDS CHEER THE KING.

NEW ERA IN ITALIAN LIFE.

ELIMINATED ROMAN QUESTION.

Australian Press Association—United Service (Received April 21, 5.5 p.m.) HOME, April 20.

The opening of tho all-Fascist Parliament—tho first to be elected under the now system of corporative election —was marked by scenes of unusual fervour. The King and Queen of Italy, the Crown Princo and other members of tho Royal Family drovo through beflagged streets lined by cheering crowds and amid tho booming of guns and pealing of bells. Aircraft manoeuvred overhead. Crowds acclaimed the King at tho Palace after the ceremony.

Tho speech from the throne emphasised the accomplishment of national unity. It said a new erai was being opened in Italian history.

Two events had touched the soul of the Italian people. Tho first was the result of tho election which had proved upon what vast disciplined forces the Fascist Government could rely. Tho second was the agreement with tho Vatican which had eliminated tho Roman question, lifted a weight off tho country's mind and realised its unity territorially and spiritually. Tho speech outlined measures for strengthening the Stato and intensifying its action. Bills are to be introduced to carry out the terms of the concordat with the Vatican.