GLOOMY OUTLOOK

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1938, Page 11

GLOOMY OUTLOOK

STRIKE IMPENDING? Gravely Disturbed Domestic Atmosphere. OPENING OF VITAL TALKS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received J p.m.) LONDON, November 23. The Channel steamer in which Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and Viscount and Viscountess Halifax crossed to France encountered a 50-mile-an-hour gale, waves sweeping over and almost hiidng it from view l . With a general strike imminent, and opposition to the new economy decrees hourly becoming more intense, the i ranco-Brifish talks will open to-mor-row morning in a gravely disturbed domestic atmosphere. The French Cabinet met and finalised its policy. The Press criticises the exclusion of colonies from the discussions. The ex-Minister, 11. Frossard, said: "I hope M. Daladier And M. Bonnet will tell Mr. Chamberlain the truth—peace has not returned alter Munich, and the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia has not appeased the Reich apj>etite. Papers express astonishment at Herr von Ribbentrop's visit, and ask: "Is the Oerinan (iovernment trying to sabotage the Franco-British conversations 1" M. Daladier, M. Bonnet and a representative of the President, M. Lebrun, greeted Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax at Paris. Cheering crowds lined the beflagged route from the Gare du Nord' to the British Embassy. The reception in the vicinity of the station, however, was mixed. A solid section of Communists, with upraised fists, cried: "Down with Munich and the betrayer of Czechoslovakia. Vive Eden." Protests threatened momentarily to lead to disorder, but after vigorous action by the police the crowd dispersed. Seven or eight arrests were made. The reception along the route was most enthusiastic, especially from women. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and Lord and Lady Halifax in the evening attended a banquet given by M. Bonnet at the Quai d'Orsay. MOOD OF WORKERS. GENERAL STRIKE TALK. (Iteceived 1.30 p.m.) PARIS, November 23. Seven thousand metal workers struck and occupied 1">0 factories at Valenciennes. Mobile Guard* began evicting strikers. Postal workers and textile unions announced support of a general strike. Strikers throughout the country number between 22,000 and 27,000.