FRENCH REDS ATTEMPT TO CASH IN ON GOVERNMENT CRISIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22730, 31 August 1948, Page 5

FRENCH REDS ATTEMPT TO CASH IN ON GOVERNMENT CRISIS

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter —Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. - The French Communists are trying to cash in on the Government crisis. The British United Press correspondent in Paris reports that Communist-led demonstrations against rising prices occurred throughout the country.

Communists in Paris collected signatures to a petition demanding a democratic people’s Government. Strong police cordons turned back about 200 workers when they marched towards the Ministry of Labour to protest against rising prices.

Speedy Price Cuts Vital

Political observers say that M. Robert Schuman, who was Premier from November, 1947, to July, 1948, has a slightly better chance than M. Ramadier had of forming a coalition Government, but rising public discontent means that any new Government must be prepared to take speedy action to slash prices.

M. Schuman’s prospects are not regarded as very strong. The Times says the main French parties are doubtless convinced in themselves of the need for higher production, lower spending and administrative .reform, but none of the parties is willing to join the others in helping to fulfil it his need. Risks of Elections The Manchester Guardian says the chances of forming any viable French Government without new elections seems remote. Nevertheless, an election now is a risk that none of the parties woud willingly take because the most likely victor would be General de Gaulle. The Daily Mail expresses the belief that General de Gaulle would be returned on a great popular vote if an election was held. The French crisis could scarcely have come at a worse moment, says the Times’ correspondent in Paris. The time limit which the labour organisations had allowed the Government for offering a solution to the eternal wages and prices problem is September 1. The Communist newspaper Humanite brushed aside M. Schuman’s candidature for the Premiership and called for Communist participation in the Government “or a democratic union.” Uamadier’s Decision Surprises

M. Ramadier’s refusal to continue negotiations to form a Cabinet came as a surprise because the Radical Socialists, who hold the decisive vote in the Assembly and who were expected to provide M. Ramadier’s biggest obstacles, had announced yesterday evening that they would support M. Ramadier.

Radical Socialist Party congresses outside Paris were, meantime, during yesterday urging the dissolution of the Assembly and the holding of new elections. The pre-war Premier. M. Daladier, was one Radical Socialist who urged this at a meeting at Moulins. The Associated Press correspondent says the lengthening of the Cabinet crisis has forced the franc lower in terms of gold. The gold dolllar, which was quoted at 21,600 francs before the crisis, reached 23,500 francs today. The gold Napoleon was up to 5025 francs against 4a25 francs on August 28.