M. POINCARE'S MINISTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 64, 15 March 1924, Page 7

M. POINCARE'S MINISTRY.

PREMIER HOLDS SENATE. LONDON, March 14. The critical debate on the Finance Bill opened in the French Senate yesterday when M. Bereinger presented the Finance Commission's report against the suppression of the match monopoly and other proposals, particularly the provision authorising the Government to effect economies by decrees instead of Parliamentary legislation. M. Poincare, speaking at length, urged Senators to sacrifice their personal preference to the defence of France. He alleged that the fall of the franc was organised by German finance with the object of forcing evacuation of the Ruhr. France had replied by measures of defence, and the Allies had given comforting proofs of their sympathy. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald's letter testified to his absolute loyalty to the Kntente. M. Poincare concluded: "There has been a singular change of opinion among our foreign friends about the Ruhr. Some say that we might exchange it for other pledges. This shows that they realise that our pledge is of certain value." The debate was adjourned. The Paris correspondent of the "Morning Post" says that it is evident that M. Poincare lias the Senate's sympathy, despite the objection of a strong section to legislation by decrees as evidence of the modern tendency to substitute the authority of Ministers for that of Parliaments. The rise of the franc is the Government's trump card. It is unlikely now that the Senate will adopt a course which will force M. Poincare's resignation.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.)