FRENCH POLITICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 6

FRENCH POLITICS

PAINLEVE TAKES THE HELM PERSONNEL OF NEW CABINET _ M. CAILLAUX INCLUDED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Pouter’s Telegram. - (Received April 17, 8.50 p.m.) , PARIS, April 16. A new Cabinet has been formed, and the portfolios have 11 en allotted as follow : M. Painleve —Prime Minister and Minister for War. M. Briand—Minister for Foreign Affairs. M. Caillaux—Minister for Finance. M. Demonzio—Minister for Education. M. Schrameek—Minister for the Interior. M. Sloes —Minister for Justice. M. Chaumet—Minister for Commerce. M. Andre Hesse—Minister for the Colonies. Changes were made at the last minute, as M. Loucheur declined to accept the portfolio of Commerce, which was then allotted to M. Chaumet, who was to have taken the portfolio of Oolbnies A meeting of the Radical Party, of which M. Caillaux was formerly leader,' unanimously adopted a vote of confidence in him alter his speech appealing for support m restoring French finances. nightmare of finance M. Caillaux said that the Treasury situation was serious, but he anticipated bringing it back to normal. The meeting was held after a 1 hours’ conference between M. Caillaux, the Governor of the Bank of France, and the heads of the principal French hanks. , _ MM. Caillaux. Malvv, and Demonzie conferred with M. Painleve until early in the morning. M. Caillaux, : subsequently questioned, went no further than to sav that the financial prob- : lem which had been under discussion i had been too serious to he settled in an i uour. He would meet the Governor of ! the Bank of France in the morning to i obtain certain information, partieular- , ly in regard to the state of the Treasury. It is concluded from the duration of the midnight conference, that a rather serious difference of opinion arose. Fresh , onveisations will be held this ingThe “Matin” states that M. Poincare created a great impression by declaring in the Senate lobby that the selection of M. Caillaux would be a challenge to the Senate. The Socialists’ National Council, . while resolving to support a Government headed by M. Painleve, turned down the views of that section which urged that Socialists should become members of the Ministry, although this decision is not regarded as final. The Senate, by 193 votes to 5, approved of the agreement by which the Bank de France should make a further note issue. There were 100 abstentions from the voting. FRANCE'S NEW RULERS M. Paul Painleve, scientist and mathematician,. left academic life in 1010 to enter public affairs. Long interested in both education and aviation, he attained to Cabinet rank in 1915, as Minister of Public Instruction and President of the Air Commission. Two years later he became Prime Minister, for two months, after which he was displaced by “The Tiger,” who held power until after the war. M. Painleve subsequently held several portfolios in the Briand Ministry, which preceded Poincare’s. Few men return to political office after having been convicted of high treason, but M. Caillaux has done it, In 1917 he attempted to negotiate peace with Germany, and when Clenienceau came into power Caillaux, i Malov. and others were prosecuted, i and sent into exile. IVlien M. Herriot j took office last year he passed legisla- ! tion to grant' Caillaux an amnesty, | and he returned to France immedi- ! ntely. j M. Briand has been seven times : Prime Minister of France, the last ! time in 1921-22.