ITALIAN REFORMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3593, 23 January 1923, Page 43

ITALIAN REFORMS

ROME, January 14. Signor Mussolini, writing in his magazine, Gerarchia, declares that the chief defect in the Government of Italy has been the frequent and unnecessary changes of Ministry. No statesman ever had time to finish what he began. It is believed that these opinions foreshadow a change in the Parliariientary system. Signer Mussolini is said to be preparing a. Bill under which future Ministers will remain in nower for four years. Only the King will be empowered to demand their resignation. LONDON, January 15. The Daily Chronicle’s Rome correspondent scathingly criticises the devastatingly floodlike speed with which Signor Mussolini is inaugurating reforms. He says: Signor Mussolini and his disciples are doing much good, but a lot in a wrong way. Tlie general atmosphere, therefore, is unhealthy. For • instance. 60,000 raihvaymen were dismissed, only Faseisti members being retained. The Government’s only fate for those who were dismissed is emigration. Signor Mussolini is reducing Parliament to the status of a helpless Reichstag, under a Kaiser. It is a mere debating society. ROME, January 16. The naval programme, as submitted to Cabinet, increases the expenditure .to 50,000,000 lire, and the total personnel to 45’0C0. The programme, provides for the laying down of five light cruisers. 20 destroyers, and 16 submarines, by 1923. According to a press report, the Government is granting pensions to the families of all the- Fascists who were killed in fighting with the Socialists.