FRANCE’S FINANCE CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1947, Page 5

FRANCE’S FINANCE CRISIS

PARIS,. June 26. A settlement of the French coal strike seems imminent. The Communist-controlled General Confederation of Labour announced that it officially supported a strike of I’Bo,ooo coal miners in Northern France. The strike spread to _ the pits in south and central France. It is estimated to be costing 90,000 tons of coal daily. However, the leader of the Miners’ Union, after meeting M. Robert Lacoste (Minister of Industrial Production) said: We have accepted satisfactory propositions and if the Premier gives his agreement, work should begin to-morrow morning. Agreement was reached on the basis of a report made by a Government commission studying the miners’ demands. The miners will get a 2s 6d production bonus and reduced working hours. M. Thorez, secretary-general of the French Communist Party, denied to-day that in a speech yesterday he referred to the Marshall plan as a “Western snare”. He said the Communist Party’s press service had made an error in its report of the speech. M. Thorez, in making the denial, said: “The militant in the party’s press service who committed this grave fault will be severely punished. We in no way want to create difficulties between the Allies. I said the plan has- inconveniences that might cut Europe in two. I added that certain reactionaries wanted to make this plan into a war machine between the Western Powers”.

Bank Moratorium During Strike of Clerks

(Rec. 7.40) PARIS, June 26. The French Government ordered moratorium on commercial payments by the banks for the 'duration of the bank clerks’ strike, which is now in its seventh day. This measure was adopted by the National Assembly. It provides that no payments on money orders, cheques, current accounts, or other deposits may be demanded as from June 19 until a date to be fixed later by the Government. The measures mean that the money in circulation must keep the country running.

FRENCH ADMIRAL RETURNING TO ■ HIS MONASTERY

(Rec. 10.20). PARIS, June 27. Admiral d’Argenlieu, who until recently was the French High Commissioner in Indo-China, will again enter a Monastery as a Carmelite Monk on July 16.' Admiral d’Argenlieu was, before the war, a member of the Carmelite Order in Paris. He was called up as a reservist for naval service when the war began. Admiral d’Argenlieu escaped to London after France’s fall, disguised as a peasant.