THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21807, 12 June 1936, Page 11

THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME

SIGNIFICANT MOVE BY RADICAL SOCIALISTS FORTY-HOUR WEEK PROPOSAL PARIS, June 10. As the strikers are gradually returning to work interest is shifting to other features of the Government’s programme, notably the bill prepared by the Minister for (M. Auriol) modifying the activities of the Bank of France, which will probably result in the issue department being brought under Government control to ensure that the bank will more freely lend to the Government. M. Reynaud, the former Finance Minister, and M. Rollin, the former Minister for Commerce, and other critics strongly opposed the 40-hour week bill during the discussion by the parliamentary commission. M. Jaubert, a Radical Socialist, reserved his opinion, which is regarded as significant, as the Radical Socialists are expected to support the bills, M. Blum defended the measure, contending that the 40-hour week would accelerate currency rhythm. He promised vigorously to support the weaker industries. . One thousand textile workers in the Roubaix and Tourcoing district are resuming to-morrow, with a 10 per cent, increase in pay. Other demands will be discussed when M. Blum’s bill is passed.

The northern miners are returning, but the drift to work is not yet general. The idlers, according to some estimates, are 900,000, including new strikers who are coming out because of the trades unions’ lack of power. The latest “stay-in” strikers are the employees of the fashionable costumiers. The mannequins and midinettes are sitting in the windows chaffing the passers-by. A total of 3500 agriculturists in Seine-et-Oise have,struck, also the stonemasons, market gardeners, florists, racing stable boys, and Parisian charwomen. Strikers to the number of 1850 have occupied the Schneider munition works at Le Havre, and the strikers have still not evacuated the Citroen, Renault and Courtauld works. The Blue Train ran again, but the employees of the French line struck after the sailing of the Normandie at 11 a.m., and occupied the warehouses. Many employers repudiate the wage ihcreases, declaring that the concession will total 35 per cent, when the 40-hour week and paid holidays are considered. The Parisian police are prosecuting the shopkeepers for profiteering to the extent of 50 to 100 per cent, when the food supply was menaced. Already 250 summonses have been issued. The lifeboatmen on the Seine, who are striking, erected placards forbidding people to jump into the water, adding humorously; “While the strike lasts only mothers-in-law will be saved.” The textile* trades in the north of France sent a deputation to the Prime Minister (M. Blum) urging that increased costs would necessitate export subsidies to enable the industry to compete in the colonial and foreign markets.