SCENE IN FRENCH HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20152, 12 January 1929, Page 11

SCENE IN FRENCH HOUSE.

PREMIER'S DRAMATIC MOVE DEMAND FOR STRAIGHT VOTE. APPEAL TO OLD EVENTS. (Received January 11, 7.-15 p.m.} Times Cable. LONDON, Jan. 10. The Paris correspondent of tho Times sends tho following message: Bearding the lion in his den, the Premier, M. Poincare, rose before the opportunity came to move tho motion of no-confidencc and told tho Deputies lie wanted decision forthwith. M. Poincare said: " It is a question of knowing if the Government really exists, and, what is still more important, if it will exist to-morrow. We intend to exist and to go on existing." There was applause from the Right and Centre Parties, and from a portion of the Left, where the waverers are usually found. Tho approval was so vigorous that it could lie regarded in the light of promising a show of hands for M. Poincare. The Premier realises that he has won his previous successes because the divisions were not taken on party lines. He now demands a straight vote, in order to know if he can continue unhampered by the continual Socialist threats. M. Poincare again intervened with dramatic effect when a Socialist member, M. Meyer, accused 51. Poincare of allowing the reactionaries to attack the Republic, and not moving a finger to protect it. He asked why M. Poincare had not ascended the tribune to denounce the anti-Republicans. M. Poincare jumped up and asked the Deputies if they did not remember how ho was foremost in defending Parliament against the reactionaries. He mentioned his share in defeating General Boulanger and in saving Colonel Dreyfus, who was wrongly condemned and sent to Devil's Island. Almost the entire Chamber was stirred by his dramatic allusion to historic incidents, and burst into applause. M. Meyer's speech faded out.