FASCISM AND FORCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19373, 8 January 1925, Page 6

FASCISM AND FORCE.

The experiment of Fascism has now taken another turn consequent on Signor Mussolini’s dramatic declaration that he would wipe out the Opposition in forty-eight hours, ending with the emphatic words, “The one solution is force.” As a result it is announced that the spirits of the Fascists have revived tremendously, and that there have been demonstrations of rejoicing throughout Italy at the turn of events. Drastic steps have been taken to suppress all subversive elements, and there has been a show of military manoeuvres. The outcome is said to be a cowed silence on the part of the Opposition press, and the refusal by Signor Giolitti and Signor Orlando of an invitation to join the revolt against Fascism. All this to some extent lends colour to Mr Lloyd George’s commentary that the Italians had only accepted Fascism as a counsel of despair, since freedom was at a discount and intimidation and murder had become the instruments of government. Even the Morning Post, in taking Mr Lloyd George to task, founds its protest not upon the inaccuracy of Mr Lloyd George’s statement so much as upon inexpediency and untimeliness of reflections upon the affairs of a friendly nation. The entire Fascist movement reflects curiously on the lot of a nation, which, like Italy, has in the past fought and suffered so much for the cause of liberty and for the sake of freedom, and on whose behalf English poets and writers have pleaded so strenuously. The hope fondly entertained in some quarters that Fascism might gradually develop into a constitutional Government will be to a large extent deferred, if not absolutely defeated,, by this latest instance of Signor Mussolini’s dictatorship. Signor Giolitti, as lately as November last, when explaining why he voted against the Government, addressed Signor Mussolini personally and said: “I beg of you, out of the love you bear your country, for the prestige of Italy, do not treat the Italian people as though unworthy of that liberty which they have always enjoyed in th© past.” This utterance, coming from the old Piedmontese statesman who has served his King faithfully, and who governed Italy for thirty years created a profound impression. The very fact that the Fascist leader is driven to employ force in order to maintain his domination would seem to show that his influence is on the wane and that the end is drawing near. The opinion has been expressed that whatever good was accomplished by Fascism in saving Italy from a Bolshevist revolution, greater harm has ensued in dividing the land into two camps at bitterest enmity. Whatever the immediate result of Signor Mussolini’s latest turn of the screw, there can be little doubt that the enmity already existent will thereby be greatly intensified.

A botanist. Dr F. W. T. Hponger, of Amsterdam, has made an impossible sounding discovery. He has found pearls in cocoanuta. The gems are round, perfect in form, milk-white, but lack the iridescent sheen of the oyster pearL They are very rare and difficult to secure, for the natives of the tropical islands prize them highly as talismans, and are reluctant to part with them. They are formed by a process similar to that which prodaces shell-fish pearls. Certain cocoanuta are “blind,” that is, they’ do not have tho throe “eyes” at tho end to one of which tho embryo of the seed is normally attached. Caged inside tho nut and unable to develop normally, tho embryo becomes impregnated and covered with lime salts from the milk of the oocoannt. Tho City Fire Brigade received a call at 4.16 p.xn. yesterday to what proved to bo a hedge firo in High street. The outbreak was extinguished before- any damage resulted A family residing a few miles from Dannevirke had a surprise visit from an unwelcome visitor during the Christmas season, a woman who was supposed to be at tho other side of the world. Her mission across the intervening 14,000 or so miles was to secure possession of a child (states the Hawke’s Bay Herald’s Dannevirke correspondent). During the war a young Englishman was married, and after spending three weeks with his war bride ho returned to the front. He spent three years serving his country and came through the conflict safely. Unfortunately one of tho first unnloaant duties of the young soldier on his return to civilian life was to obtain a divorce. The court awarded him tho custody of a little girl that bad been bom as a result of the wedding. Tho mother of the divorced wife appears to have taken n strong objection te the decree of the court, and she played a leading part in subsequent events. The young father determined to start life afresh in New Zealand with his child, and arrived in the dominion about two years ago. The little girl was placed in a boarding school, apparently free from all influences at the other end of the world. The father decided to spend the Christmas holidays with relatives near Dannevirke, and on Friday the grandmother walked into the pleasant family gathering and made her mission known. Nothing could have been more complete than the domestic sensation she created. She said she had made the journey from England in order to take the child back with her, but the father made his parental authority clear, and his daughter does not leave his custody. The child is now being closely watched, and the grandmother is reported to be preparing for hear departure homewards. Barth Electrical Supplies Ltd., 61 Princes street, Dunedin, tho handiest shop in town for everything electrical. Repairs a specialty; jobbing and contracting promptly executed. —'Advt. Mail that gift order to Williamsons, Tho Jewellers, Princes street. You get prompt attention and better value.—-Advt. A E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, comer of Bond and Rattray street* (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt. Christmas Jewellery. Compare our values. Choice selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, bracelets, pendants, and erlverware.—Peter Dick, Jewellers, etc.. 490 Moray place.—Advt.