MUSSOLINI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 24, 20 April 1927, Page 9

MUSSOLINI

| ALL ITALY DOES BIDDING | OF MAN WHO IS CLAIMED TO BE GREATEST EUROPEAN SINCE NAPOLEON. I AUCKLAND "BLACK-SHIRT" “Whoever states that Mussolini’s Government is unpopular in Italy states a lie. The people of Italy are heart and soul with the Duce, and with Fascimo.” Thus Signor A. P. Muggiani, world - touring representative of an Italian firm of textile manufacturers, to a SUN representative this morning. “Everybody is with Mussolini,” continued Signor Muggiani, “except a small minority, with which we can’t be bothered” (this with an expressive shrug of the shoulders). It is really very, very small. Mostly it is a clique of professional politicians, who stir up trouble outside the country. They know better than to start playing pranks with Mussolini in Italy. “Oh! Nitti,” went on Signor Muggiani, in reply to a question: “he’s cut of Italy, too. He’d better stay away. We don’t want him. When you see the tremendous progress my country has made in the last four or five years, it would be foolish not to give credit to Mussolini for what he has done. He is the greatest man in Europe since Napoleon. “Look what he has done! We are paying our debts. We are developing every branch of industrial and social activity. In at least two or three industries. we lead the world. We are out after business all over the world —anywhere where there is a chance. “Italy stagnated till Mussolini took control. We were right down the war. Now, Italy holds her place among the principal powers of Europe. Everybody is waiting to see what Mussolini will do next. And Italy will keep on going ahead. Remember, we have two thousand years of tradition behind us—of the great Roman Empire, which is coming back again. “Labour conditions are good. No strikes are allowed, and there are no industrial troubles for the workers Our money is getting better every day. The lire is 97 to the £ now. It was 150 last year. “We are electrifying all our railways and putting water power tr to all our factories. Italy used to bo dependent on outside countries for her coal, and when a big strike occurred in England, our factories had to close down. Now, we don t give a tinker’s dam, as you say. We go on with our electric power. “We are working very hard. Our factories are going at top pressure. There is no time for internal strife. Italy’s national spirit is awakened, and* the man who has done all this is Benito Mussolini. What he says we do unquestionably, because we know he will make Italy great.”