ECONOMIC PLAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 7

ECONOMIC PLAN

FRENCH PROGRAMME CUT IN CONSUMPTION INCREASED PRODUCTION NEW DECREES ISSUED (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 1, 2.40 p.m.) PARIS, Feb. 29. Ten sets of decrees have been issued designed to decrease spending for consumption and to increase production. These measures include a reduction of expenditure abroad by reducing the ordinary imports in order to conserve foreign exchange for extraordinary war purchases, a general census for the distribution of ration cards, the regulation of bakers, confectioners and restaurants, the incorporation of bean flour in flour for bread-making, a reduction in the consumption of oil products and alcohol, tlie control of prices, rebates for fhe purchasers of seeds for spring wheat cultivation of land in the army zones, measures to facilitate exports, the regulation of the employment of female labour and war against waste in civil and military expenditure. No Immediate Rationing The Government Ls not introducing rationing immediately, although it ls preparing food cards. The nation is confronted with three meatless days weekly and pastrycooks are obliged to close two days weekly. ri The Finance Minister, M. Reynaud, in a broadcast speech, said that the decrees constituted the Government’s economic programme for the war. France, he said was producing less and consuming as much as or more than in peace time. Therefore, it was necessary to increase production and prepare for every sacrifice in order to limit consumption. It was most important that France should avoid embroilment in the vicious spiral of soaring prices and increasing wages, having a climax in currency depreciation. M. Reynaud said that the goto reserve would he revalued but the value of the franc would he unchanged. The new measures represented veritable compulsory service for ans because we are at war.” he added