FRENCH UNIONS AGAIN ASKED TO END STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 18 October 1948, Page 5

FRENCH UNIONS AGAIN ASKED TO END STRIKE

Will British Miners Extend Support ? (Rec. 10.5) PARIS, Oct. 16. The French Government has reopened its talks with Communist and non-Communist Labour Unions in an effort to end the coal strike. This is the first direct contact between the Government and the unions for more than a week. The results of the talks are not known, but delegates appear to be hopeful of an early end to the strikes, which have already cost France two million tons of coal.

Tremendous Loss for France from Strikes (Rec. 9.55) LONDON, Oct. 17 The French Minister of Commerce on Saturday gave a warning that the mines of France may not be workable for some time, even after the strikes end because the Miners’ Union is withdrawing the safety teams from some of the colliers on Monday. The condition of some of the pits has already deteriorated .from lack of maintenance. The thirteen day old strike had on Saturday already cost France as much fuel as would run the country’s railways for two months. Strike Aid from Poland (Rec. 9.30). LONDON, October 16. On Friday, Polish miners decided to send £5OO worth of food to assist the striking French miners. Iron Miners to Resume To-day (Rec. 10.5) LONDON, Oct. 17 The miners are resuming work on Monday in the iron mines of Lorraine. They will receive a five per cent., output bonus and other concessions. The union leaders declare the concessions represent a wage increase of twenty-six per cent.

French Currency May be Devalued LONDON, Oct. 15 The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, accompanied by Treasury officials, left by air for Paris. He would not say whether his journey was connected with the report that France intended to devalue her currency. French Colonial Currency Value (Rec. 6.30). LONDON, October 17. Reuter’s correspondent at Paris says: A French communique states that the parity of the Pacific franc will not be modified for commercial or non-commercial transactions. Its value in relation to the metropolitan franc will be fixed at the beginning of each month.