EMPIRE BURDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 11

EMPIRE BURDEN

ITALY IN AFRICA IRON DISCIPLINE ECONOMIC MEASURES RULES FOR COMMERCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ROME. Nov. 3 The Corriere del Imperio prints an important speech by Marshal Graziani, made at the conclusion of a review of Eritrean workers and producers, in which he outlined a number of economic measures which, he said, "II Duce has directed me to apply with iron Fascist discipline." Marshal Graziani pointed out that Signor Mussolini was perturbecf by heavy Suez Canal dues, for which reason autonomy of the African empire would have to be created as speedily as possible. He frankly admitted that Eritrean economy was at present based on a fictitious footing.

As a result of Marshal Graziani's speech, district governors have started to weed out commercial undesirables. Anyone wishing to start business must now deposit money in the bank and disclose the nature and extent of his schemes. The use of cars and trucks is forbidden except with official permission.

Djibouti (French) firms trading with Abyssinia are unable to obtain payment and have ceased exporting. There is some discontent among the Italian military forces. Deserters frequently surrender on the French Somaliland frontiers and allege terrible hardships and harsh treatment from their superiors. Reports of night attacks on the Abyssinian road are common. Movement outside Addis Ababa is still restricted to a few miles.