M. BLUM’S MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 11

M. BLUM’S MINISTRY

Close Division In Senate FRENCH DEFENCE FUND By Telegraph.—Press. Assn.—Copyright. (Received March 25, 5.50 p.m.) Paris, March 25. The life of M. Leon Blum’s Government was endangered by the .Senate, which by 156 votes to 137 rejected his proposal to transfer £24,000,000 from the Exchange Equalisation Fund to the National Defence Fund, on the ground that it would be inflation. Although the Senate accepted other proposals, Senator after Senator told M. Blum that he had better resign and allow somebody else to carry out the national unity project. M. Blum, replying furiously, declared that he did not deserve to be treated like a naughty boy. Meanwhile the Chamber of Deputies passed unanimously the Wartime Organisation Bill. Cabinet will discuss the Senate position to-day. WORKERS ON STRIKE Threat To Rearmament Programme Paris, March 24. Fifteen thousand workers have staged a stay-in strike in five Citroen factories as a protest against the slowness of the employers in renewing collective contracts. It is feared that the unrest will spread to the metal and aircraft factories, partly owing to trade union disappointment at the continued ban on the export of arms to Spain. M. Auriol, Minister without portfolio, has asked M. Jouhaux, SecretaryGeneral of the Confederation of Labour, to intervene, as the strikes would threaten the rearmament programme.