FRANCE TO-DAY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 October 1924, Page 2

FRANCE TO-DAY.

HOPEFUL future. , vivid word, picture of conditions as they, exist in France to-day was given t>y -Mr Georges Bader, Commercial Attache to the Consul-General of France u 1 on his return to Sydney by the Alakura from a visit to that e^or^s ' S3 T dney Adorning “lhe peace has left France victorious but deeply wounded,” said Mr Bader in an interview. “Besides the million and a half of her men who were killed in the war, armies of young men incapacited for life remain. She is left without a navy, and, having a big colonial empire, she could" not be in a position to defend it in case of need. In spite of her victory, she has been left in the position of a nation which has been vanquished. iOne can see little grounds for the accusations of great fighting strength made, against the sor-called militarist France. It is high time that oversea countries got more impartial and accurate information regarding the world’s doings. Air Bader pointed out, however, that nothing but optimism should prevail regarding the country’s future. His principal object in touring the leading industrial and commercial centres in France was to foster trade with _ Australia, and pointed out that his trip had convinced him there were no grounds for the statements that sweating was rampant in France.* Everywhere he found the people earning good salaries, and living happily. “The worst has passed in Alsace-Lor-raine,” he said, “and everything gives assurance of the future prosperity of these two provinces.” On account of the shortage of coke, due to the Ruhr occupation, industry in Lorraine had suffered, but most furnaces there were again working. After the. Armistice, several difficulties had been felt, and it did not take long before the vitality and resources, the energy and will power of the people had shoVn themselves. Industry was also active in Alsace. has yet to be done tore-attaeh these two provinces, politically and economically, with France,” Mr Bader said, in conclusion. “TEe railroads have not yet been made part of the French railroads like they were previous to 1870. This step is urgently needed, hut, generally, I think a bright future is before these provinces.”