SINGLE CHAMBER

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 April 1946, Page 7

SINGLE CHAMBER

. DECISION OF FRENCH ASSEMBLY FIRST MAJOR TEST LONDON, April 16. “The French Constituent Assembly, in its first major test, decided by a majority of 28 votes, to support an unrestricted single-house Legislature, and provoked a party crisis,” says the Paris correspondent of the Associated Press. . “The vote was taken on an amendment to the proposed Constitution seeking the establishment of a second Chamber of Representatives from France and the French Empire. The second Chamber would have powers equal to those of the new Chamber of Deputies. “The President (M. Gouin) was faced with a possible M.R.P. (Popular Republican Movement) and Rightist revolt, which would mean the adoption of the new national charter by only a small majority. M. Gouin conferred with the leaders of the three main parties. He told the Foreign Minister 1 (M. Bidault) and other M.R.P. leaders that the party must support the new Constitution or leave the Cabinet.

“If the M.R.P. decides to leave the Government, M. Gouin is reported to be ready to take the Foreign Affairs portfolio himself and replace the other M.R.P. Cabinet Ministers with Socialists and Communists.” The M.R.P., in a statement issued to-day, reiterated the party’s demand that the Legislature under the new Constitution should consist of two Chambers. It added, however, that a breach with the Socialists and Communists on the Constitution issue did not mean the end of the Coalition.

CATHOLIC PARTY STATES ATTITUDE (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. The Catholic Progressive Party executive after a lengthy meeting declared that .it would support the projected constitution in the Assembly and in a referendum, only if certain essential conditions were fulfilled, says the Associated Press correspondent. The conditions include a stronger executive, an independent judiciary and a bi-cameral Legislature gving authoritative representation to the French Empire. It is considered certain that the Assembly will reject the conditions, but after a. Cabinet meeting, which observers described as crucial, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Bidault, said a crisis had been avoided and agreement reached in principle. The Catholic Progressive Party suffered another defeat in the Assembly later to-day. The party objected to a law for the confiscation by the State of the property of convicted collaborationist newspapers and printing firms. The Assembly adopted the law by 327 to 102 votes. The M.R.P. objections to this bill, and also a bill proposing nationalisation of insurance companies, are factors in the week-end Government crisis.