FRENCH CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23124, 24 August 1938, Page 13

FRENCH CRISIS

LABOUR REVOLT MINISTERS RESIGN PREMIER ATTACKED INTERESTS IGNORED UNREST IN COUNTRY By Telegraph—Press Assoeialion—Copyright PA HIS, August 22 As the result of the broadcast speech of the Prime Minister, M. Daladier, yesterday, M. Ramadier, Minister of Labour, and M. Frossard, Minister of Public Works, havo resigned. They complained that they were not consulted about the speech, in which the Labour Party's policy was radically altered, and they objected to any modification of the 40-hour week.

Also, tho two Ministers complained against the calling out of Senegalese troops to unload ships rendered kilo by tho Marseilles dockers' strike.

M. Demonzie, Public Works, and M. Poinarct, Labour, were appointed to fill tho vacancies in the Cabinet.

Political fires havo flared up again as tho result of tho resignations and very grave fears are expressed that France may be faced by another crisis at the very moment when tho European situation demands internal stability.

The Trade Union Council has complicated the situation by passing a resolution emphasising tho danger of infractions of social laws and requesting its organisations to remain calm and vigilant in the face of any action which might bo decided upon in order to protect the social laws and tho 40-hour week. The council also expressed solidarity with the Marseilles dock strikers and denounced tho use of troops.

It is reported from other parts of Franco that workers' demands for higher wages in order to meet tho increasing costs of living are gathering strength.

M. Daladier, in a statement, said: "Everyone has a right to his own opinion. Mine is that Franco will be lost unless it can work normally at present.

"In consequence of the social laws which wo alone are applying, our factories have been forced to refuse orders. I do not oppose the 40-hour week in principle, but factories must be able to work overtime."