WANTS PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1937, Page 9

WANTS PEACE.

ANTI-FASCIST.

FRANCE'S POSITION.

NATIONAL OUTLOOK.

X. GIRAUDOTJi' VII! Wl.

"It Is not true, what Home atatesmen liwve said.Uhat the Fascist idea is going to conquer Europe," said M. Jean (ilraudous, who arrived in Auckland this morning by the Monterey. M. Giraudous i* Minister Plenipotentiary and general inspector of diplomatic office* for the State Department of France. He will spend about a week in New Zealand, leaving Wellington for Australia probably next week.

Explaining the statement quoted* above, M. Giraudous referred to the | growth of Fascism in Germany and Italy as something that had been necessary in those countries because of economic circumstances. Germany, beaten in the Great War and ravaged afterwards by revolution, had needed a Government that was strong to rebuild national spirit and 'ambition. Italy, too, had suffered severely financially and it, too. had needed a new idea in. government. France United.

"France," he said, "is united to the last man against the Fascist idea. All our wishes are against its growth in Europe. The movement in Germany and Italy is, in a certain way, easier to understand."

Referring to his own country, M. Giraudous said that there was no wish for a return to days of warfare.

"We are a peaceful nation, and, like England, we want peace," he said. "War would not be good for any nation. The statesmen of the world realise that no country can win through war. Victor or vanquished, you still lose. In our own limits in France we want to improve the conditions of social life. We found after the war that though we were ahead in some subjects, in others we were behind. We want to level up to a higher standard generally." He pointed out that before the war France was in the main a peasant country. There were 28,000,000 of them. Now the ratio of peasants and industrial workers was about the same. Industry was increasing and it had been found that" industrial legislation required changing. The advance was still going on. Naturally prosperous times and changing conditions nad brought industrial unrest, with resultant strikes, but that was practically settled now. Democratic Movement. In the government of the country there was a new social spirit, he said, and that would continue regardless of what Government came into power. The democratic movement had developed about Ave years ago, when it had been thought generally that the Government of tne day was not strong enough. With that movement there had coine certain turbulent elements, such as might come in any family circle, but they had now quietened down. The French people believed in freedom with strength of government.

From a defence angle France was now in good shape, with strong fortifications. She was well armed, and with a good supply of munitions.

"The statesmen of England understand us very well," said M. Giraudous, "but the people of England do not understand us at all. The statesmen realise our difficulties in Europe and they realise that we are one of the greatl v . populated countries of Europe that is working along the same lines that they are. We are not seeking supremacy in Europe, though many people think we are."

France was naturally concerned with the conflict in Spain, said Mr. Giraudous. She had big economic interests in that country, and her interests were also bound up with the cultural life of Spain. How the struggle would end he could not forecast, but all the nations of Kurope, hoped there would be a truce soon. He could not see how General Franco could establish a Government that would bring peace to that country. Visit to New Zealand.

The international talks on the subject of colonies, and Germany's claim for a return of some of her pre-war colonies, were a matter that concerned England more than France, he said. When he left Frnnce two months ngo, though, there had heen talk of the formation of a general French company that would have as its objective the exploitation of parts of Africa that had formerly belonged to Germany. In that company and in the trade projects it would foster Germany could have a part, he said. He did not know what had come of that project.

M. Giraudous, in addition to his officii* I activities, has found time to become an author and playwright of note in his own country and in America. One of his plays, "Amphitryon, 1038," was produced in America recently.

On this visit he is accompanied by M. H. Job, Consul-General of France and Inspector of Frcnch Diplomatic Offices. The main purpose of the visit was, thev said, to bring the diplomatic offices of France in the various countries of the world into closer touch with headquarters.

They would not be able to discuss possible trade connections between New Zealand and France until they were leaving this country, said M. Giraudous.