MUSSOLINI'S POWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 1

MUSSOLINI'S POWER

WISE TOURISTS SILENT NEW ZEALANDER RETURNS “Tourists in Italy are not allowed to mention Mussolini's name,” said Mr. Wilfred Beadel, of Christchurch, who returned by the Arawa to-day from a trip abroad. “There are printed pictures of Mussolini pasted on the walls everywhere. In Venice photographs of the dictator were pasted on either side of the door of the hotel at which we stayed.” _ • Mr. Beadel’ was in Italy during the sixth anniversary celebrations of Mussolini’s rule. “We saw thousands of soldiers marching to Rome to take part in them,” he said. “They were sleeping in hundreds on the railway stations.” During his trip through Europe Mr. Beadel noticed that Belgium looked particularly prosperous. ‘‘A tremendous amount of work Is being put into agriculture,” he said. “There is not a spare inch uncultivated. Practically the same conditions prevail in France.” CONCENTRATING ON BEET In England it was quite different. “England wants to wake’ up in agriculture,” he said. “The country Is concentrating on the production of sugar beet, an industry which is supported by the Government. There is a good deal of ill-feeling among the farmers in England, and the farming community is in a parlous condition.” Mr. Beadel said that as l!ar as he could see farming does not pa* 1 in England, and the Government does not seem to be interested in the men on the land; consequently, many of them are leaving it. There was an amazing amount of competition among the various banks. Even in small towns which should support only one bank, he found three or four different ones competing for business.