NEW FRENCH CABINET

Grey River Argus, 29 January 1946, Page 5

NEW FRENCH CABINET

AUSTERITY REGIME ■ Drastic Retrenchment FARIS, Jan. 28. President Felix Gouin has formed a new Coalition Ministry, following an acceptance by the three main parties—Communists, Socialists and M.R.P. (Catholic Republicans)—of a programme of stringent economies. The President in a letter invited the Parties to accept Draconian austerity programme, including rigorous Budget cuts. These include drastic cuts in Army expenditure, the closing of armament factories for . a year and their conversion to civilian production. The suspension of military call-ups for a year; “exemplary penalties” to terminate the black market, which he intends to suppress completely; economies in civilian Ministries, with special powers enabling the head of the Government to cut expenditure with the approval of the Ministers of Finance and National Economy without consulting Cabinet as a whole; the temporary suspension of civil service promotion; no new intake of civil servants; inci ..ases in railway fares and in the price of coal, except for gas and electricity; maintenance of prices and salaries at stable levels; various increases in taxation; and the requisition of certain foreign assets. M. Gouin admits that his programme is harsh and will be unpopular to a high degree, but he warned that unless three parties accepted it he would be unable to proceed with the task of forming a Government. He also appealed for a party truce, otherwise, he said, the task to be attempted would be condemned through sterility in advance. A Reuter correspondent said: This is the first time any responsible French statesman has warned the nation that the state of its finances is bordering on disaster and that only strict measures of economy and selfsacrifice can save the situation. President Gouin described the financial situation in France as not desperate, but very serious. The country needed a psychological shock. It would need mare rather than less aid from Anglo-American friends in future.

“Our real labours begin now,” said M. Gouin. “I do not seek to conceal the difficulties ahead, but, with the co-operation of all, France will live. I am happy to pay tribute to the generous spirit and patriotic understanding of which the Parliamentary groups have given proof.”

President Gouin said he could see nothing but advantages in conclusion of a tripartite alliance between Britain, France and Russia. There would essentially be continuity in French foreign policy. He thought the Constituent Assembly’s recent resolution regarding Spain, implied that action would be taken in agreement with France’s Allies.

After the first meeting of Cabinet President Gouin said it was occupied with two essential problems with, which the Frenchmen were concerned —food and finance. He said: “The country will shortly know the decision "taken. I am convinced I can reckon on the goodwill and determination of the country, which has so often shown self-denial and courage, to come to our help.”. THE NEW MINISTRY The new' Government consists of 20 Ministers and four Under-Secre-taries of State, compared with General de Gaulle’s 22 Ministers. There are two Ministers without portfolios instead of four. It is also proposed to place the Ministries of Agriculture. Food. Reconstruction and Industrial Production under the direct control of the Minister of Finance, who is also responsible for the Ministry of National Economy. Following General de Gaulle, M. Gouin takes the post of President. The members of the Cabinet are:— Vice-Presidents: M. Francisyue Gay (M.R.P.) and M. Maurice Thorez (Communist). Foreign Minister: M. George Bidault (M.R.P.). Minister of Finance: M. Andre Philip (Socialist). Minister of the Army: M. Edmond Michelet (M.R.P.). Minister of the Interior: M. Andre Letroquer, who is President of the Paris Municipal Council. Minister of Armaments: M. Charles Tillon (Communist). Minister of Justice: M. Henri Teitgen (M.R.P.). Minister of Transport: M. Jules Moch (Socialist). , Minister of Industrial Production: M. Marcel Paul (Communist). Minister of Reconstruction: M. Francois Billoux (Communist). Additional Ministers are:— Labour: M. Ambroise C'roizat (Communist). Agriculture: M. Pierre Tanguy-Pri-gent (Socialist). Colonies: M. Marius Moutet (Socialist). Education: M. Marcel Naegelen (Socialist). Health and Population: M. Robert Prigent (M.R.P.). Food: M. Henri Longchambon (nonparty). Post and Telegraph: M. Jean le Tourneau (M.R.P.). Information: M. Gaston de Ferre (Socialist), who is also Secretary of State attached to M. Gouin’s office. Former Servicemen’s Affairs: M. Laurent Casanova (Communist). M. Michelet, M.R.P., Minister of the Army under General de Gaulle, said that further reductions in France’s military appropriation would bring the country to the level of a Balkan State or a South A.merican Republic. He opposed the adoption of the financial plan of Pierre Mendes France, who would probably be Finance Minister in M. Gouin’s Government. M. Gouin, the Socialist, Communist and M.R.P, leaders, have approved the proposals. The President, M. Gouin paid a visit to General de Gaulle, who is now living on the outskirts of Paris. M. Gouin spoke of his visit as the homage of a Frenchman to a very great Frenchman.