FRENCH POLITICAL CHAOS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20740, 6 December 1930, Page 13

FRENCH POLITICAL CHAOS.

GOVERNMENT RESIGNS.

DEFEAT IN THE SENATE.

ASSAILED ON POLICY.

* ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. LONG CRISIS EXPECTED. /. (By Telegraph—Pre93 Association—Copyright. (Received December 5, 11.45 p.m.) . / " PARIS. Dee. 4. The Tardieu Government has resigned as a result of its defeat in the Senate by 147 votes to 139. The division followed an interpellation by the Opposition about general policy. There was an intensely dramatic debato in a crowded Chamber, those present including many fashionably-dressed jvomen. M. ITery attacked tho Government fr6m every angle. He declared that the Chamber had not been sufficiently informed /as to foreign affairs. He said the Government had neglected national defence, /its financial policy was a hoax, speculation was rife, the cost of living was rising and France was suffering from one of the worst economic crises she had ever experienced. M. Hery referred to the Oustric Bank scandal and other scandals, and said the (country was heading toward bankruptcy. Not Responsible lor Scandals. The Premier, M. Tardieu, in replying, insisted that the policy of the Government aimed at ensuring maximum strength against pressure from without, also against the economic crisis which ,was a world phenomenon. Indeed, he declared, the position of France generally was healthy compared to that of other countries owing to [the thrift of the people and to M. Poincare's handling of the stabilisation problem. The Government was not responsible for; the scandals referred to by M. Hery. The British Chancellor of tho Exchequer, "Mr. Snowden, had not beyi attacked over jtho Hatry affair, which had caused five times more loss than the Oustric scandal. Neither had the United States Secretary of the Treasury, JJr. Mellon, been challenged because of the Wall Street crash. This is the fourth time in the history of Franco that a. vote of the Senate has brought down a Government. Search for New Premier. M. Tardieu's fall was not expected as it was believed M. Poincare's support would suffice to give him a small but sufficient majority against his Radical Socialist attackers. Messrs. Poincare and Caillaux voted for the Government, but it is noteworthy that neither intervened in the debate.

The opponents of M. Tardieu made considerable play in regard to the losses recently caused to small investors, particularly by the Oustric Bank affair. They denounced the Government's educational policy/ and hinted that its Republicanism was rather weak.

The reply of M. Tardieu was spirited, nevertheless there were weak points against him, such as the decline of business in .the luxury trades and the decreased tourist traffic. Messrs. Briand and Poincare have since intimated their unwillingness to accept the Premiership. M. de Ladier, leader of the Radical-Socialists, is mentioned as a possible Premier and Messrs. Cheron and Laval also are supported.

Tfye crisis threatens to be long and difficult.