Woman's Suffrage

The Chamber of Deputies opened its doors for a short session of perhaps a fortnight. Before it appeared the inimitable Premier, Benito Mussolini, and as usual he had a card up his sleeve.

In one of his soul-stirring orations, he supported the Government's bill to give municipal votes to woman. The speech was the more remarkable because the Premier was bucking a majority of the Fascist Party. His speech was witty and to the point. More than once female giggles were heard from the gallery, but a certain frigidity was noticed in that region when he said:

"I am pessimistic about this business of women's suffrage. I know it will not bring a cataclysm, but I do not believe it will bring much good, or, in fact, change matters much."

Part of the bill, besides giving women a municipal vote, provides that women are equally obligated with men to serve the country during war, morally and materially, and will be subject to military discipline.

After the usual bout between Fascisti and Communists, the bill was passed.