FRENCH RESIDENT

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1934, Page 5

FRENCH RESIDENT

A PRESS TRIBUTE

CONDITIONS NEARLY NORMAL.

(TJaitod Press Assoeiation—By Electri*

Telegraph-Copyright)

PARIS, February 9,

“Vive Doumergue!” heads a lea ing article in “The Times,” whic records the new Premier’s brisk, bi wary, approach to the task of givin France a stable Government. 1 says: M. Doumergue is the type whic his compatriots love to see in hig place. He is gay,- spirited, . dignifiet of firm judgement rommon.sence, an unassuming shrewdness. He neve allows his personal bias to overrid consideration of the State. He is rim probably undertaking the hardes part of his career. M. Doumergue’ views will I‘eceive much greater at tention that the Du'c de Guise’ pathatic arid rather ridiculous, ap -peal on behalf of the Monarchis . principle. Confidence, seems to fo felt that a Government of Nationa Safety will so o n be in existence.” This, is the seventh time iri eight een months that France lias beei without a Government. The President of the police hospi tal, which Madamme Cliiappe, wife of the ex-Prefect of Paris, founded, has returned a cheque fbr £o2t>, which the Government sent in -gratitude for the Hospital’s ' treatment of the injured police Tlie President accompanied the cheque with a let'ei; statihg:— : “The mourning of J’aris is too deep and “poignant to enable us 'to accept a present connected with the painful ' happenings.” 3Vf. March and, the dhief of the Metropolitan Police, who was injured, is : worse. Complications are feared. M. Doumergue allows nothing to disturb his equanimity When lie concluded his consultations with leading politicians at' 8.30 p.m.. he said: “I am going to bed. I will continue Cobiriet-makipg to-morrew.” v M. Doumergue addressed a deputation of war veterans. He emphasised the urgency of passing the Budget, and added that until it was ad'wt/’d, .the Government coijld hot consider: other urgent reforms nocessary for adapting Republican institutions to the needs of the moment. IVJ. Caillaux- was the first person with whom M. Douberguo bad a coriW n nce on the subject of finance, M. Callaux being regarded as- a financial wizard. j As a S'-quel to the riots, three Communists were sentenced to eight days’ imprisonment for smashing shop windows. . I Two rioters, guilty of y, striking other demonstrators, were sentenced respectively to three months’ , ai’d a fortnight, the latter being a first offender. - ; ' ' . | Four others, two of whom are Rus- ' siansj got terms of from a- day to a fortnight for, carrying steel bars and. other prohibited weapons. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST STRIKE. (Received this day at 9.10 a.m.) , . LONDON, February 9; The “Chronicle’s” Paris correspond-1 eiit says the Government has, already j begun preparations against Monday’s} general strike. One hundred and fifty naval ratings have been detailed for duty at the Paris electric power station, and steps are also being taken to maintain gas and water-supplies in Paris.

... FORKING A CABINET (Received this day at 10.5 a.m.) PART® February 9. Marshal Retain informed M. Doumergue' he is ignorant of the first thing about politics, and is rJot interested in them. If he were appointed Minister for War he would run it as a soldier, and look after the Aianv. M. Herript resigned the presidency of the Radical Socialists, and has accepted a portfolio in the Cabinet, which M. Doumergue expects to complete this afternoon. ,1