GRAVE UPHEAVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22437, 5 June 1936, Page 11

GRAVE UPHEAVAL

. «*• STRIKES IN FRANCE WAVE OF UNEMPLOYMENT LONDON. June 3 Despatches from Paris state that the industrial upheaval in France, in spite of the peaceful manner in which it is being conducted, seems to be getting out of hand. A wave of unemployment submerges industry after industry, not only in Paris, but in Lille, Marseilles, j Toulouse and Rouen, besides involving farm workers in country districts. Left Wing politicians and Communists unanimously disclaim responsibility, though M. Sarraut, Prime Minister, and M. Rossard, Conciliation Commissionaire, have been conferring with representatives of both sides. M. Salengro, future Minister of the Interior, warned the Communists that factories must be evacuated and strikes ended. He gave a pledge on behalf of the new Government that if the workers displayed patience it would introduce remedial measures. In the meanwhile negotiations for a collective labour contract would proceed slowly at the Ministry of Labour. About 350,000 dissatisfied workers have "occupied" 300 plants, including 40 conducted by British interests. There is fear of a general transport strike, and the gas and food supplies are also threatened.

At present the heavy industries, including those engaged on military contracts, are principally affected. A side issue is a Strike of drivers of police vans. This has necessitated police inspectors driving the vans. Eleven thousand workers are idle in Lille, where five important motor-car factories are closed down, and 1500 telephone factory hands, have ceased work at Versailles. The Paris correspondent of the Times says he thinks that now the workers perceive that strikes can be operated successfully without interference, the movement will sweep France and will not be checked until a far-reaching revision of labour conditions is obtained. DETAINED IN FACTORY PARTY OF ENGLISHMEN STRIKERS IN POSSESSION PARIS. June 3 Seventeen Englishmen, including two directors of the world-famous biscuit manufacturers, Huntley and Palmer's, McVitie and Price's, are imprisoned at the company's works near Paris as a result of the "stay-in" strike. One of them, a Mr. Hart, telephoned to the British Embassy, stating that the factory was occupied by 70 men and 270 women, who refused to nllow the Englishmen to leave. They wera obliged to spend the night in the offices of the factory.