PLENARY POWER GRANTED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 149, 20 March 1939, Page 9

PLENARY POWER GRANTED

French Chamber Passes Bill

M. DALADIER’S AIM Nation To Become Immense Workshop By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copy right. (Received March 19, 8.30 p.m.) PARIS, March 19. The Chamber of Deputies approved by 334 votes to 258 the Plenary Powers Bill, in which the Prime Minister, M. Daladier, sought special powers till November 30. Disorder twice compelled Dr. Herriot. the President of the Chamber, to suspend deputies. /The operative clause in the Bill is'as follows: “The Government is authorized by decree, with the approval of the Council of Ministers, to take all necessary measures to consolidate and increase the strength of France.”

M. Daladier, in a speech in the Chamber, said: “It is my firm determination that France shall beeonie an immense workshop. That is the only way to safeguard peace. We will not yield to force or threats—not a single one of our rights and not an acre of territory. It is because we are pacific that we have decided to subordinate everything to service to our country. “I wish to increase the French forces and be able to take useful measures at maximum speed. In the face of danger, democracy must cease to be a regime of contradictions. The Government demands special powers to enable us still to assure the country’s safety.

“If we are granted plenary powers we can revise our foreign policy and try to wean Signor Mussolini from Herr Hitler and extend the working week beyond 40 hours.” M. Bonnet toFd the deputies That France was informed on March 11 of the first concentrations of German troops and immediately discussed the situation with Britain. Cabinet approved M. Daladier’s Bill for strengthening the armed forces. All Ministers must at present remain in Paris.