NO PART IN BALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22488, 4 August 1936, Page 6

NO PART IN BALL

ITALIAN CONSUL-GENERAL

LEAGUE UNION FIXTURE [from ouk own cohbkspo.vdext] SYDNEY, July 27 The Consul-Genera 1 for Italy, Dr. P. Vita-Finzi, has declined to act as a vice-president of the International Bail Committee, and has stated that the Italian community will not take any part in the function, which is being arranged by the League.of Nations Union. Dr. Vita-Finzi explained that the Italian community to. takilng up this attitude because of the bitter and hostile attitude displayed by the League of Nations L'nion against Italy respecting the Italo-Abyssinian war. The Resident of the League of Nations Oijon. Sir Francis Anderson, in announcing receipt of a letter from Dr. Vita-Finzi declining to act as one of the vice-presidents of the ball committee and setting forth the Italian community's attitude towards the ball, said the latter portion seemed like an order from the Consulate to the Italian community. It had to be remembered that Italy was still a member of the League of Nations, and that-usually all sections co-operated in arranging the Intcrnational Ball. Dr. Vita-Finzi said he did not think any explanation? of his attitude and that of" the Italian community was necessary. He had been invited by the League of Nations Union to act as a vice-president of the ball committee, and he had merely replied ift a courteous manner that he was unable to accept the office and that probably the Italian community would not take part in the function. ''The reasons are very clear." he added. "The League of Nations Union was very bitter against Italy in the last month of the Abyssinian war. and at the last meeting its members voiced a lot of propaganda against Italy when already the Australian Government had decided to lift the sanctions against Italy. The union's attitude was that the sanctions should be continued. I think it is sufficient to publish our decision, because it is very clear that we have no reason to. support a union which was so bitter against Italy. I am sure nie public will appreciate "our attitude.'