Stay-in Strikers Number 40,000

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 7

Stay-in Strikers Number 40,000

Unhappy Situation Of French Government NEED FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY United Press Aisociatlon— By Hileetrie Telegrapa.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, April 6. The Paris correspondent of the Times says the deadlock in the negotiations to settle the Citroen and other Strikes led to workers occupying six other motor, aeroplane and metallurgical factories, bringing the number of stay-in strikers to over 40,000. Nine thousand Parisian taximeu have called a six-hour strike for Wednesday as a protest against the employers’ demand for increased fares. The extension of labour unrest has made worse the situation of the Government in the Chamber of Deputies despite a 2i-hour speech by M. Blum when the urgent need' for financial stability was emphasised. Ho said the Treasury needed £6,000,000 weekly until the end of the year. A great country could not drag on like a petty trader on the rocks, but must live and arm itself although determined to avert war. The debate was adjourned. M. Blum’s financial proposals include a capital levy, increased taxes on big incomes, revaluation of the Bank of trance’s gold reserves, centralisation of all foreign exchange dealings in the Bank of France, suspension of debt redemption for two years and a supertax on armament profits.

M. Blum also seeks dictatorial powers until July 1. BLUM EXPECTED TO RESIGN Received Thursday, I.IU a.m. PARIS, April 6. M. Blum’s early downfall is foreseen in the ominous attacks on his financial proposals by every newspaper except two Leftists. The proposals are denounced as dangerous and camouflaged inflation. It is rumoured that M. Blum will resign before facing the Senate, after which hopes would be bright for the long-awaited National Ministry. NOISY DEBATE ON FINANCE BILL SITTING SUSPENDED PARIS, April 5. The debate ou the Finance Bill in the Chamber of Deputies opened noisily. The first speaker was constantly interrupted by cries from the Rightists*: “It is robbery.” Uproar broke out when M. Greyssel, a member of the Social Part*-, the new Fascist Party formed by Colonel de la Rocque, rose. The Socialists yelled, “Hitler, Hitler,” and the Rightists countered with “France for ihe French. ’ ’ Then someone from the Right shouted: “Down with the Jews.” The Minister of the Interior, M. Dormoy, standing up with his fist raised, retorted: “The Jews are as good as the Gentiles.” The President of the Chamber, M. Herriot, amid a storm, suspended the sitting. There are several Jews in the Cabinet.