EMERGENCY METHODS ADOPTED BY FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 7

EMERGENCY METHODS ADOPTED BY FRANCE.

NEW LEGISLATION.

Strikers Streaming Back To Work. MONETARY PROBLEMS. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) rARIS, June 9. M. Blum, Prime Minister, in the Chamber of Deputies, tabled bills for a 40-hour week, holidays of 15 days with pay, collective contracts, exemption of war veterans from taxation, and alterations of certain decree laws. He asked the Chamber to adopt procedure of extreme urgency. By a large majority the Chamber approved and then adjourned, after referring these measures to commissions. The bill for collective contracts gives the public authority the power to arbitrate in the case of differences between parties respecting the national agreement, and extends the agreement to parties hot represented at the negotiations on Sunday last. Textile industry representatives told M. Blum that they will accept the agreement, but drew the attention of the Government to the necessity for a reduction of the export tax in order to enable them to defend the markets. Strikers are streaming back to work. The trade unions describe the settlement as the greatest victory in the history of French Labour. They consider tile income of workers, allowing for the 40-hour week, will rise on an average 35 per cent. Employers do not share this enthusiasm. They contend that the increases place a heavy burden on French economy. Question of Devaluation. M. Blum's problem now is to reconcile his opposition to devaluation with the rising costs of production which the strike settlement will necessitate. Right interests which were formerly bitter opponents of devaluation, are now the strongest advocates of it. Even the Popular Front is becoming uneasy at M. Blum's insistence on the sanctity of the franc. Critics point out that if he rejects devaluation he must turn to tariffs, quotas and exchange regulations, turning France into the very totalitarian State, which M. JAum was elected to combat.

The Prime Minister is at present relying on short-term borrowing, which lias reachcd the unprecedented total of £280,000,000. Presumably lie intends to continue borrowing until the market will lend no longer. POLITICAL CONTROL. POWER TAKEN FROM MILITARY (Received 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, June 9. The Government announces a significant reorganisation of French defence services' in the removing of a considerable amount of control from the military chiefs and the vesting of it in Cabinet Ministers. A Ministry of National Defence lias been entrusted with coordination of land, sea and air defence. The Supreme War Council is placed under the direction of the Minister. SHOPGIRLS' OBJECT. ORDERED TO "MAKE-UP." (Received 1 p.m.) PARIS, June 9. Boulogne shopgirls desire abolition of an orcl/i' that they must appear for work attractively made up. They declare they are workers, not actresses.