FRENCH SITUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 10

FRENCH SITUATION

FRESH CRISIS THREATENED. POLITICO-INDUSTRIAL ISSUES. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, Aug. 22. The political fires have again flared up as a result of the resignation from Cabinet of-M. Frossard (Minister of Public Works) and M. Ramadier (Minister of Labour). The gravest fears are expi’essed that France may be faced with another crisis at the very moment wjien the European situation demands, internal stability. The Trades Union Council has complicated the situation by passing a resolution emphasising the danger of infractions of the social laws, and requesting that organisations remain calm and vigilant in the face of any action which might be decided on in order to pro + ect the social laws and the 40-hour week.

It also expresses solidarity with the Marseilles dock strikers and denounces the use of troops reported from other parts of France. The workers’ demands for higher wages in order to meet the increasing living costs are gathering strength. The Premier (M. Daladier), in a statement, said; Everyone has a right to his own opinion- Mine is that France is lost unless we can work normally. At present, in consequence of social laws which we alone are applying, our factories are forced to refuse orders. Ido not oppose the 40-hour week in principle, - ' but factories -must be able to work overtime.