FRENCH DECREES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23058, 8 June 1938, Page 13

FRENCH DECREES

RECOVERY PLANS RESTORING CONFIDENCE INCREASED PRODUCTION INDUSTRIAL REVIVAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright , PARIS, May 27 A second batch of 53 decrees issued by the Daladier Cabinet on May 21 constitutes the second section of the economic and financial programme which is being carried out under temporary powers conferred on the Prime Minister by Parliament. The new decrees confirm the earlier belief that M. Daladier's plan is based mainly on taxation, increased production and the restoration of confidence in order to attract money to France. The latest decrees are almost wholly designed to promote an industrial revival. The most important gives greater elasticity to the 40-hour week, whereby restrictions on the length of each separate week are removed and the annual limit of 2000 working hours is fixed. Thus the workers may work 48 hours in one week at ordinary rates of pay, without payment for overtime, and be compensated by working 32 hours in the following week. It was principally tlio textile industries that urged this reform. ' Programme of Public Works The whole series of decrees deals with a huge three-year programme of public works, involving the expenditure of £02,000.000. Local authorities are being asked to find about half the cost. The operations will not be merely relief works, but are aimed at providing a solution of real needs long recognised as such, including improvements to ports, canals and roads, especially in the Paris district; the building of hospitals and schools, particularly in rural areas; the installation of water and electricity supplies; slum clearance; the encouragement of civil aviation; and the creation of free zones in French ports, with the object of constituting international markets in certain raw materials.

Another noteworthy decree attempts to correct the curious situation in which the shortage of skilled labour in certain industries exists side by side with a largo volume of unemployment, by instituting special training schemes for juveniles under 17, who will henceforth require a certificate of efficiency before being employed in industry and commerco. The Aeronautical Industry Perhaps the most interesting feature of the credit decrees is the establishing of a special fund for the decentralisation of the aeronautical industry. Another decree provides for the lending of capital at low interest rates for firms desiring to modernise their equipment. Another permits of special State assistance being given for scientific research.

It is thought that generally the decrees are sensible, although they do not go very far. Some critics believe that M. Daladier is moving warily, relying chiefly 011 the manipulation of currency for the recall of French capital from abroad, and also on tho resumption of economic activity.