FINANCE PLANS IN FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22371, 7 April 1938, Page 11

FINANCE PLANS IN FRANCE

M. Blum’s Proposals Debated NOISY SESSION OP CHAMBER More Labour Unrest Reported (TOTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGIIT.) (Received April 6, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 6. M. Blum’s financial proposals include a capital levy, increased taxes on big incomes, the revaluation of the Bank of France’s gold reserves, the centralisation of all foreign exchange dealings in the Bank of France, the suspension of debt redemption for two years, and a supertax on armament profits. M. Blum also seeks dictatorial powers until July 1. The debate on the Finance Bill in the Chamber of Deputies opened noisily. The first speaker was constantly interrupted with cries of “It’s robbery” from Right Wing members. Uproar broke out when M. Creyssel, a member of the Social Party, the new Fascist Party formed by Colonel de la Rocque,. rose. The Socialists yelled “Hitler, Hitler.” and the Right members countered with “France for the French.” Then someone from the Right shouted, “Down with the Jews.” The Minister for the Cnterior (M. Max Dormoy), standing up with raised fist, retorted; “The Jews are as good as the Gentiles.” The President of the Chamber (M. Herriot), amid the storm, suspended the sitting. There are several Jews in the Cabinet. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says a deadlock in the negotiations to settle the Citroen and other strikes led to sympathetic action by workers occupying six other motor, aeroplane, and metallurgical factories. This brings the number of stay-in strikers to more than 40,000. Nine thousand Parisian taximen called a six-hour strike for to-day to protest against the employers’ demand for increased fares. The extension of labour unrest has made worse the situation of the Government in the Chamber of Deputies, in spite of a two and a half hour-speech by M. Blum, who emphasised the urgent peed for financial stability. He said: “The Treasury needs £6,000,000 a week until the end of the year. A great country cannot drag on like a petty trader on the rocks, but must live and arm itself, although it is determined to avert war.”'