A SWISS CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 35, 11 February 1935, Page 4

A SWISS CRISIS

NO MONEY FOR SOCIALISTS

Ths Socialist Government, 'which has been ,in power in the Canton of Geneva for more'than a year, ismeet. ing with considerable opposition both within the Canton itself and in Switzerland generally, says the "Daily Telegraph." A few weeks ago the Government, finding itself in financial. difficulties, appealed to.the electorate to authorise an increase'in taxation, and a reduction of the salaries of State employees. This appeal was rejected.

Then the Swiss^banks refused to advance any further sums to the Cantonal Government. They declared their lack of confidence in the; Socialist Government, and Geneva is now in a. serious plight. ' ■

rThe State Treasury was so low that the salaries of civil servants.could not be paid in full. An arrangement for payment: of salaries by instalrhents had to be made with.,the officials in November, and- the decision of the banks caused considerable concern among State officials. ....'■

Recently, Parliament voted for the resignation of M. Nicole, the head of the Socialist Government. He refused to accept this vote -as * binding under the Constitution. In the meantime, his opponents, exercising their right to ask for a referendum, werie urging that the, Resignation of the Socialist Government should be decided upon fey popular vote. > : . . .

M.'Nicole came into power after he had served a sentence of six months' imprisonment for inciting a Geneva mob to riot in November, 1932, when thirteen persons were killed and 05 injured. Within a few weeks of leaving prison he was appointed head of the Government and Minister for ■Justice and Police in Geneva.