GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 7

GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE

Vote of Confidence Sought STORMY SESSION OF ASSEMBLY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 pjn.) LONDON, October 28. The Minister of France (Mr Paul Ramadier) to-day asked the National Assembly for a vote of confidence. The Assembly will vote on Thursday. % “The French Assembly’s sitting today was the stormiest since the liberation,” says the Paris correspondent of Reuters. “Never since the liberation have the hatred and suspicion and the party cleavages which have set Frenchmen against one another been so viciously laid bare. “Mr Duclos, the Communist Party’s leading spokesman in the Assembly, skilfully and ruthlessly taunted all the other parties until Government members, de Gaulle supporters, and opponents both of the Right and Centre found themselves allied in common reactions of anger, derision, and contempt.

“The Assembly broke up, after almost two hours of pandemonium, with Mr Duclos shouting criticisms of all the other parties and Right-Wing deputies on their feet shouting back, banging desk lids, and stamping their feet. • “Ushers intervened to prevent one deputy attacking Mr Duclos after Mr

Duclos had alleged that the Gestapo had released him from a German concentration camp. # “Mr. Duclos announced that the Communists would vote against the Government on the confidence motion.” Asking the Assembly for a vote of confidence, Mr Ramadier said: “France is going through a delicate and difficult economic' and political period which could prove fatal.” Discussing wage increases, he said. “We know we can go no further. We must hold the line against inflation.” Referring to General de Gaulle’s party, Mr Ramadier said its watchwords were dissolution of the Assembly, and revision of the Constiution. ‘ ‘These have always been words that enemies of the Republic have used.” Marshall Plan Mr Ramadier said that if the Marshall plan was not accepted a crisis would arise in France and Europe for which there would be no remedy. “Half the bread ration would disappear and there would be unemployment.” Communists shouted, “No, no,” as Mr Ramadier discussed the Marshall plan, but the rest of the House applauded.

Mr Ramadier gave a warning that there would be civil war if the nation split into two camps. He said that no French party should follow ends foreign to the country’s safety. Mr Dualos jumped .up after Mr Ramadier finished speaking and shouted, “You want to obtain thanks from Washington for taking to your masters the death certificate of French Communism.”

Many deputies interrupted Mr Duclos with screams of “Petkov, Petkov.”

A§ Mr Ramadier' rose to deny the charge that the Government received orders from anyone, Mr Duclos concluded by saying, “The Communist Party maintains its position as the first party of France. De Gaulle and his American masters must realise this.”