REFORM PROPOSALS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 148, 8 June 1936, Page 7

REFORM PROPOSALS

New French Government’s Policy MANY NEW BILLS !By Telegraph—l’isss Assn.—Copyright.) PARIS, June 7. A far-reaching programme of reform was announced by Al. Leon Blum, Premier, in the course of :i? ministerial declaration at tho opening of Parliament. He declared that the Government’s programme had already been endorsed by a majority of the electors. '‘The sole problem,” he said, “is to convert it into facts. The Government will table a number of Bills in rapid succession confirming tho 40-hour week, collective contracts, paid holidays, nationalisation of tho armaments in dustry, considerable public works, reform of the Bank of France, extension of school leaving age, revalorisation of agricultural products. Directly these measures are passed the Government is submitting a second scries of Bills aiming at a national unemployment fund, agricultural and accident insurance, tho regulation of agricultural debts, old-age pensions and, finally, will draft an extensive system for the simplification of international policy which will be directed to the reduction of armaments and the organisation of collective security.” REPUBLICAN SPIRIT. M. Blum said he would ask for new resources only from acquired wealth. He would see that there was suppression of fraud and, above all, the recovery of general economic activity and reabsorption of the unemployed to increase tho consumable revenue and furnish w-ell being and security to all who by their work create true wealth. “Wo shall,” ho said, “govern as republicans, animating . all tho administrations of public services with the republican spirit.” (This is interpreted to mean the removal of Fascists from the Civil Service). “Wo shall vigorously defend democratic institutions and suppress ail corruption.” Referring to foreign policy, ho said: “The country unanimously wants peace, which is indivisible throughout the world, involving France’s adherence to international contracts with collective security, halting the European armaments race and ensuring international understanding through publicity of arms programmes and progressive reduction and control of armaments.” The Chamber passed a vote of confidence in M. Blum by 384 votes to 210. APPEAL FOR PEACE German Attitude BERLIN, June 7. A Foreign Office official said, “Wo fully and whole-heartedly agree with M. Blum’s appeal for. peace, but it must bo peace with equality, which alone would be durable.”