LEADERS OF FRANCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12393, 12 March 1926, Page 8

LEADERS OF FRANCE

NEW CABINET ANNOUNCED m: caolaux refuses a seat NEW PREMIER’S FIRST MOVE By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Reut ' < Telegram. PARIS, March 10. The Premier, M. Briand, will retain the Foreign Ministry in the new Cabint, which will include M. Raoul Peret (Finance), M. Malvy (Interior), M. Leygues (Marine), M. Painleve (War), M. Laval (Justice), M. Leon Perrier (Colonies), M. Durand (Agriculture), M. Demonzie (Works), M. Lamoureux (Public Instruction), and M. Durafour (Labour). The last-namecT lias hitherto been reporter to the General Finahce Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. It was at first hoped that M. Caillaux would accept the portfolio of Finance, but he refused to join a Cabinet containing M. Demonzie. It is expected that a sufficient majority in the Chamber will support a vote of confidence in the new Government, allowing M. Briand to go to Geneva without delay. HIS NINTH TERM M. Briand, nine times Premier, formed his new Cabinet in ten hours. Both these achievements are records. The complexion of the neiv Ministry is of the Left, but leaning slightly further to the Right than its predecessor. The inclusion of MM. Lamoureux and Malvy assures the support of the bnlk of Radicals. It is noteworthy that M. Raoul Peret, who is in no way a tyro in finance, is moderate, and unlikely to propose any startling innovation. M. Briand for the moment considers the League crisis even more urgent than Paris. He returns to Switzerland ip-night.

SUPPORTASSURED FOR NEW MINISTRY POSITION. Renter's Teleeram PAKTS, March 10. Though M. Briand Rt present has only accepted the Premiership in principle. ho will announce his definite decision to-night. It is confidently assorted that he has already secured the necessary support. Hence the announcement of the personnel of his Cabinet may be expected to-morrow to enable him to go to Geneva immediately.

Inter* iewed on leaving the Elysee after hie interview with the President, M. Briand said that he had told M. Doumergue that in view of the present situation be (lid not consider .himself justified in refusing to try to form a Cabinet.

As regards the question of a majority in the Chamber in support of the new Cabinet, a large number of the 221 deputies who voted for the Government in the crucial division on March 6fch, met and decided to constitute themselves a permanent majoritv, which will probablv be joined by those who abstained from voting on that date.

The Socialist group rejected a motion in favour of supporting the new Government, and passed a resolution by ‘ a email majority declaring that ooliov, which the group is prepared loyally and wholeheartedly to support and which would include particularly financial reconstruction, can only be carried out by a majority based on tho Radical, Republican, and Socialist parties.

MERE STOP-GAP

NEWSPAPER’S OPINION Reuter’s TMcnram PARIS. March 10. Generally speaking. M. Briand’s resumption of office has created a g'©d impression. The “Figarb” regards the.. Cabinet as a mere stop-gap to enable M. Briand to go to Geneva with renewed prestige to repair the damage which the French apprehend thoir case has suffered through the absence of an authoritative spokesman.