THE NEW ITALY.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18796, 18 November 1932, Page 5

THE NEW ITALY.

BLESSINGS OF FASCISM. GENIUS OF MUSSOLINI. “Mussolini I He’s a constructive genius,” said Miss Andri Revan, who recently returned to Wellington from a long sojourn In Europe, a good part of which was spent in Rome. Miss Bevan says that whatever might be said of Fascism, it was the one thing for Italy at the time. Italy found the man, and that man the means of maintaining Italy as a great power. “Of course,” said Miss Bevan, “such a thing as Fascism would never do for English people. It is nothing •more than a dictatorship—a dictatorship which the country and the people wanted. “It is not wise to know anything about politics in Italy, or to express views about Mussolini, who, by the way, is referred to toy English people as ‘Mr Smith.’ One never speaks of Mussolini—it is too dangerous. One lady, who was known to have inquired where Mussolini lived on three occasions, was asked to leave the country, and they saw that she did leave. There is nothing more in this than that they are zealous for Mussolini’s safety. They do not forget that it was an Englishwoman who shot ( him through the nose. Of course,' she was mad, but it makes no difference. Zealously Guarded. "Mussolini is seldom seen by anyone. He does not mingle with the ’crowd or go about like the King or the Prince of Wales, but he does appear at big functions or parades, when he is always closely guarded. I was present at one at Rome, but near me the whole time was one of the carabinieri. I was an Englishwoman. “Still, he is a great man. He has restored Rome to a lot of Its former glory by the removal of slums and by the construction of new highways. The new Royal Opera House is an extremely beautiful theatre, in which premiere performances are given almost as often as at La Scala in Milan. Mussolini is making Rome the great centre of Italian government and culture, and, in my opinion, it is the most fascinating city in Italy In which to reside. “Another thing Mussolini has done Is to make Italy more decent and secure for everyone," said Miss Bevan. “Not many years ago it was not a very safe place for womankind, so I have been told by Italian women; but now that is all altered. Women may take their walks abroad in perfect safety. It has meant a new freedom, and they worship Mussolini for the marvellous change he has brought about. Now the trains start and arrive op time, and there is protection from the taximan’s stings.”