FRENCH POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 284, 4 November 1925, Page 9

FRENCH POLITICS.

ACTION BY SOCIALISTS. CABINET’S UNSTABLE POSITION. PARIS, Nov. 3. The National Council of the Socialist Party decided, by 1431 votes to 1228, not to support the new Cabinet. At an important meeting, M. Painleve, Premier, explained to the Socialist leaders the Government and Ministerial programme. As regards finance, the Government proposed to establish a sinking fund which would be supplied by means of an increase in income tax, permitting some sixtyfive milliard francs debt to be redemed in the next fifteen years. The Socialists indicated that they were not completely satisfied with the programme, explaining that some points remained for settlement, notably the credits to be voted for the Moroccan and Syrian operations, which the Socialists arc unable to support in consequence of the decisions of the recent Marseilles Congress. The position will he critical if the question is not settled. The Government may find itself in a minority, since the opposition groups have already announced their intention not to vote for these credits. —A. and N.Z. cable.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

PARIS, Nor. 2. A Ministerial statement lias been approved by Cabinet to be read in Parliament to-day. It deals principally with the financial situation. In addition to the sinking fund, mentioned earlier, regarding which an appeal is being made to patriotism, the programme includes a reduction of military service to one year, and' the rev< rsion to the system of single member constituences. —A. and N.Z. cable.