STRIKES BREAK OUT IN FRANCE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31323, 20 March 1967, Page 13

STRIKES BREAK OUT IN FRANCE

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, March 19. The French Government, faced with a greatly-strengthened and aggressive Leftwing Opposition in Parliament, is having a foretaste of violent revolt in the country against its economic and social policies.

Social unrest was reflected today by strikes in several French manufacturing industries.

In the wine-producing south, 50,000 vintners protested on Friday against French imports of North African wine in demonstrations described as more violent than any seen in the area for over 60 years. Clashes with security police injured 40. The Carcasson railway station was sacked, cars were overturned or pushed into a canal and many shop-

windows were smashed. In Lyons on Saturday riot police forcibly removed 130 workers from the Berliet heavy vehicle factory. There were also continuing strikes yesterday at the manmade fibre plants of Rhodiaceta, a subsidiary of France’s largest chemical concern, Rhone-Poulenc, and by 3000 shipbuilding workers in the yards at Saint-Nazaire. All unions representing Paris bus workers have called for a two-day strike on March 28 and 29, while union leaders are threatening to stage their third national rail strike this year.