The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1929 THE YEAR VIII.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 805, 28 October 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1929 THE YEAR VIII.

/TLOSE observers of Signor Mussolini have said of lAm that V braggart though he is, he is not a ninny.” There appears to be some solid reason for the left-handed compliment. A donkey may bray and even a lion may roar loudly enough to attract attention, but only a great man can start a new era. A message from Rome today explains that Time, in the ancient city set nobly on seven hills, is now calculated from the beginning of Fascism seven years ago. Moreover, on many houses and monuments stone tablets already bear the inscription Anno VII. No doubt these words as dating the years from the creation of the Fascist era are meant officially to be read as being b ascistic, but it would be a joke on Italy’s Dictator if the stonemasons merely have been facetious. The inscriptional practice however is spreading so widely throughout Italy that onlookers’ peering far ahead to the days when even Fascism and all its glories will be with Nineveh and Tyre, foresee “a first-class puzzle tor excavators.” They need not be perturbed about it. Benito Mussolini may shape the destinies of Italy and its people, but he does not yet rule the world. Future excavators by the Tiber will have many other sources of historic proof from which they may draw guidance past the distorted calendar of the Fascist era. In Die meantime, with such pomp and splendour as black shirts afford, Italy celebrates today the Fascist New Year—the nrst glad day of tlie Year VIII. for Fascism. Nothing has been reported as yet as to the national character of the celebrations, but it has been broadcast that the Prime Minister of Italy at least is as spectacular as ever, issuing a characteristic message proclaiming the richness of Fascism in effort and fruitful work. The Year VIII. must be as rich as the seven Fascist years that have preceded it. II Dnce has said so, and thus it must he so. If such assertion were true, dictatorial Government by Mussolini for Mussolini and the people could be enjoyed in all countries which suffer grievously these days from mediocre politics and crude democracy. Beyond doubt Fascism is unique, and it should not be forgotten that it was introduced and developed ruthlessly as a substitute for had and bewildered democratic government by the people for the people. And Fascism, with all its faults, has made Italy a nation of practical men who have relieved their country from what Signor Mussolini himself has called “the reproach of being a gesticulating, superficial, carnivalesque Italy.” The system appears to have some advantages and the usual admixture of joy and sorrow. With the wave of one hand the Dictator signals a reduction in the wages of workers, and employers and profiteers cheer Mussolini; a day later, with the other hand, the great man signalises a compensating reduction in profits and the cost of living. Then the workers raise cheers for Benito Mussolini. In the process of time—the new era only has reached Anno Vlll.—perhaps all classes in Italy will applaud Mussolini.

Fascism is not the State in Italy, but it certainly has become, as the policy and ideal of a disciplined party, the most vital power in the State. As noted with pride in the land of the Caesars, the Fascist Party has become a more imposing organisation than the Communist Party in Russia. It registers 1,020,000 men, 93,495 women, 85,949 boys, 560,251 girls, 53.600 female and 25,440 male students, and 2,212 professors. This, as II Dnce declares, means “the enormous majority of Italians who count for anything. Never before has Italy seen such profound moral unity.” Perhaps not, hut the rest of the world has only Signor Mussolini’s word for it. There is no freedom of the Press in Italy and no criticism of II Duce and his black-shirted army. It has to be inferred as an incontrovertible fact that the remaining millions of people in Italy who will not wear black shirts count for nothing at all. They appai’ently do not count for much in this eighth year of Fascistic grace, but the fires of their wrath against a braggart who is not a ninny are smouldering. The Italian Prime Minister has complete faith ip Fascism and its doctrine that ‘‘democratic freedom is only a verbal illusion.” A month or so ago, he confidently deprived himself of no fewer than seven of his.nine portfolios. These resignations of administrative tasks did not represent a surrender of power. He merely passed on his surplus portfolios to men of straw. New legislation is under preparation to make the Prime Minister “the supreme and responsible controller of all Government activity.” The Year VIII. will see Signor Mussolini wearing the blackest black shirt of them all. In time, under any calendar, like that of everybody else, liis shroud will be white enough.