ITALY’S DICTATOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 5

ITALY’S DICTATOR

ORDERS TO PARLIAMENT. “ REVOLUTION HAS ITS RIGHTS.” In a speech in the Chamber of Denuties km November 16 Signor Mussolini outlined his policy. He said; “What I am doing to-day is a formal act of courtesy towards you, for which I do not ask for any special expression of gratitude. For too many years Ministerial crises have been settled by the Chamber by political manoeuvres, but now, for tho second time (the first was in May, 1915), the Italian nation has overthrown a Cabinet and lias given itself a Ministry outside, above, and in spite pf Parliament. I leave to .the melancholy worshippers of super-constitu-tionalism dissertations and complaints, but 1 say that revolution lias its rights. I would ac U]—that the whole world may know—that, I am here to defend and (o use to its highest capacity the revolution of the Black Shirts (Fascisti) to introduce it as a force of development. progress, and balance in the history of Italy. I have imposed limits on mvsnlf. I have told myself that the highest wisdom is that which does not desert one after victory. With 300.000 men fully armed, thoroughly determined, and religiously obedient to my orders, I could have punished all those who have decried Fascism and conspired against it. I could have closed Parliament, and formed an exclusively B'ascist Cabinet. I could have —but, for the time bsing. at least, I chose not to. Our enemies have remained in their dugouts. I formed a Coalition Government, not in order to have a majority in Parliament —I'do not need one—but to unite above parties all those who desire to save the nation in danger.” Signor Mussolini paid an eloquent tribute to King Victor Blmmanuel, who, lie declared, had opposed all eleventh-hour attempts to resist the Fascists, and by so doing had avoided civil war and injected in the tired arteries of the parliamentary body the young bloodstream of Fascism, fresh from war and ennobled by victory. ’■ People are asking for my programme.” the Premier continued, “but it is not programmes that we lack in Italy. Wo lack men and the will to use them. The present Government represents that will, firm and decided.” CHAMBER WARNED TO BE DOCILE.

"And since words evidently are not enough, the State is going to perfect the forces destined for its defence. Probably it will constitute a unique and perfect police, while the army and navy, reorganised and placed outside Parliamentary politics, will be reserved for the nation at home end abroad. “I am not going—so far as I can help—to govern against the Chamber, but the Chamber must understand the peculiar position it is in, which may entail its dissolution in two days or in two years. We ask for full powers, because we want to assume full responsibility. Without full powers we can carry out no economies. We shall accept all offers of co-operation made in a cordial spirit. The country is witli ns and is waiting. We shall not give it words, but acts. We give a formal and solemn pledge to restore our finances, and wo shall restore (hem. We wont to carry out a. foreign policy of peace, and nt the same time of dignity and firmness, and we shall do so. We have set out to give the nation a, discipline, and wc shall do so. No one of our adversaries of the past or of to-day hns formed any illusion regarding the duration of our stay in office. Our Government has formidable foundations in the conscience of the nation, and is supported by the beet and youngest generations of Kalians. Without doubt in the lost few days a gigantic step has been made towards unity of mind. The country has found itself united from one end to the other. No more useless talk! Let us think of working to ensure the grandeur and prosperity of our laud. May Cod help me to bring my difficult task to a, victorious cud.”

The speech was delivered before a full and appreciative Chamber. Signor Mussolini was bailed by cheers when he made his entry, and his speech was frequently punctuated by applause. Points that met, with special approval were when he declared that ho did not need a majority in Parliament, when he paid a tribute to the King, when he referred to the army, and when he insisted on the necessity of order and tranquillity. An attempt by the Socialists to raise a protest when Signor Miissoliiji declared that lie could have closed Parliament was at once repressed by the rest of the Chamber.