FRENCH CABINET THREATENS TO RESIGN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22666, 17 June 1948, Page 5

FRENCH CABINET THREATENS TO RESIGN

; (10.30 a.m.) PARIS, June 16. The French Government announced that it would resign if there is a vote against the Government in the National Assembly tonight during the debate on the c six-Power agreement on Germany.

The Foreign Minister, M. Bidault, asked Parliament to permit the fusion of the French zone of Germany with the British and American zones so that France could share in the control of the Ruhr.

“Neither our protest nor our absence will prevent a certain policy being pursued in the Ruhr,” he said. _ “The Allied control authorities during the whole period of control will have the management of the Ruhr’s coal, coke and steel. France can participate in this control if she fused her zone with the British and American zones.” M. Bidault said the Government had agreed to- currency reform in Germany. While their leaders were discussing currency reform thousands of Germans in West Germany were spending their money because of the fear that it might lose value. Rationed goods and other commodities normally in good supply have begun disappearing from the shops. The black market has almost ceased throughout the Ruhr, dealers fearing that paper money might be worthless in a few hours.