WAGE DEMANDS IN FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25705, 18 January 1949, Page 7

WAGE DEMANDS IN FRANCE

RENEWED STRUGGLE THOUGHT LIKELY

NON-CQMMUNIST UNIONS INVOLVED PARIS, January 16. A new struggle in France between the Government and organised labour over higher wage demands seems Imminent after several lightning strikes for increased wages in the last few ■?he main pressure' comes from the Communist-led General Confederation of Labour, but the movement is fuily supported at this stage by the Socialist, Christian, and other trade union organisations, This creates a difficult position inside the Coalition Government where some Socialist and Popular Republican Ministers are inclined to think that some new wage concessions are desirable. The police went into action in Paris early to-dav to clear sit-down strikers from the Panhard motor-oar works, where 3000 workers have been on strike since January 13, demanding higher wages. Tramway employees in ClermdßtFerrand, Central France, approved a motion calling for a warning 24 hours' strike on Tuesday before taking "more energetic action'' to obtain satisfaction on/ wage demands. Mike Connors Daad.--.The death has occurred of Mr Michael Aloysius Con. nors, known widely on the Australian and New Zealand stage as Mike Connors, and husband of Evelyn "Queenie” Paul. He was 57. He is survived by his widow, a daughter and a son.—Sydney, January 17.