FRENCH POLITICS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 June 1924, Page 7

FRENCH POLITICS

PEACE AT HOME. FINANCIAL MEASURES. RUHR OCCUPATION. ii* CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT . PARIS, June 16. Ihe Ministerial statement to be submitted to Parliament comprises a general amnesty in home politics, with certain exceptions, the suppression of the i' rench Embassy at the Vatican; strict application of the law of congregations; and a reduction of military expenditure as far as compatible with the security or the country. The financial measures include the suppression of retrenchment by administrative decrees, the restoration of the match monopoly, a strict inquiry into the financial position of the country with the object of ensuring the balancing of the Budget, prosecution in cases or frauds against the. exchequer, the tightening up of income tax and the re-adjustment of direct taxation, decreases in taxation paid by the consumer, especially the turnover tax, also the observance of an eight-hour day, and the right of Government employees to belong to trade unions. The statement deals with the consolidation of peace by an international agreement, an extension of the part played by the League of Nations, an international labour office and a. court of international justice at The Hague, the restoration of. normal relations with Russia, the unreserved acceptance of the experts’ reports, the continuance of the. Ruhr occupation until the pledges provided by the Dawes report are handed. over by an international organisation, the resumption of control over the disarmament of Germany, and the solution of the security problem by guarantee pacts under the aegis of the League of Nations.

BERLIN, June 16. The appointment of General Nollet as French Minister of War was received with consternation and anger by the newspapers, particularly the Nationalist papers; which indulge in violent language, terming it a blow in the face to Germany and evidence that France intends to continue the old policy.