FRENCH STRIKES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24987, 23 September 1946, Page 5

FRENCH STRIKES

Customs Officials Cease Work FORTUNES MADE BY SMUGGLERS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. Smugglers yesterday made fortunes m France because there was no one to hinder them as a result of iftie Customs officials’ strike. The Paris correspondent of the ‘‘Sunday Express” reports that smugglers poured across the French frontiers into Belgium, Switzerl 811 ?’ J tal y» a P d Spain, and brought back food, wine, and clothes which cannot be bought in France, and sold them to the highest bidder. Tobacco alone worth £lO,OOO was brought in from Belgium. Striking Customs officials stood smoking on France’s frontiers, watching housewives bargaining for smuggled foods. It is estimated that the strike is costing the French Treasury £lOO,OOO a day. • Reuter’s Paris correspondent says that the French policemen’s trade union announced that it intended on September 25 to join the strikers and had already appealed to its members not to act as strike-breakers. Bank and stock exchange employees in the North of France have decided to strike to-morrow for higher wages. The general strike situation is causing the French Government grave anxiety.

Temporary pay increases up to £l4 are sought by 100,000 treasury employees, tax collectors, and Customs officials. The Government is reported to be sending Mobile Guards to replace frontier officials.

Appeal by Bidault The French Assembly, by 537 votes to 12, approved a declaration by the Prime Minister (Mr Bidault) that the Government could not consent to further wage increases for fear of imperilling the franc. Mr Bidault appealed to the workers, as patriots, to stay at work or, if striking, to return to work. ‘‘The French civil servants’' strike, previously reported to be settled, is going on, reported Reuter’s Paris cor-' respondent yesterday. ‘‘lt was officially announced that the Cabinet refused to grant the strikers’ claims, in spite of the Assembly’s earlier resolution to award them a temporary boqus. ‘‘Border points are overflowing with travellers in varying stages of anger, indignation, and distress, because no Customs officials are available to examine their luggage and check visas. “Air travellers passed through the metropolitan airports unhindered, but people entering by car and train had their baggage impounded, presumably to await the return of someone to examine it. Some went on without their baggage, others stayed and fumed.”