FRENCH POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19198, 14 June 1924, Page 9

FRENCH POLITICS

CHOICE OF PRESIDENT. LEFT PARTIES DIVIDED. BLOW TO M. PAINLSVE’S HOPES. Pres* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, June 12. A meeting of the Left parties of both Chambers, held to select a candidate for to-morrow’s election of President of the Republic, resulted in -U. Painleve obtaining 506 votes and M. Doumorgue 149. The successful candidate must obtain an absolute majority of the votes of the 872 Deputies and Senators who are expected to be present. M. Poinleve’s supporters had reckoned that he would have obtained practically a unanimous endorsement, and the voting means a severe blow to his hopes, as M. Doumergiue can count on the support of the moderate elements in both Chambers, which were not represented at the meeting. M. Doumergue is therefore favourite in the race for the Presidency. Directly the result of the voting was known, an influential deputation saw M. Doumergue and pleaded with him to give up his candidature, but M. Doumergue refused. This decision is more serious because if M. Doumergue is elected with’ the help of the Right and Centre Parties, M. Herriot may refuse to form a Ministry under M. Doumergue. —Reuter and A. and N.Z. Cables. ' COMPROMISE FAILS. SOLID SUPPORT FOR M. PAINLEVE. PARIS, June 12. (Received June 13, at 7.20 p.m.) Disliking the prospects of a President being elected with votes from the Right Party, the Left group requested M. Doumerguo and M. Painleve to withdraw in favour of a third candidate. The former refused, and the Left bloc thereupon decided solidly to support i\l. Painleve. —Reuter. M.. Paul Painleve was Prime Minister from September to November, 1917. The son of a lithographic artist, he studied science and published a book when he

M.. Paul Painleve was Prime Minister from September to November, 1917. Tho son of a lithographic artist, he studied science and published a book when he was 21 years of age. He became professor at the I acuity of Science, Lille, and seven years later went to the Sorbormc. He is the youngest member of tho Academy and is a well-known mathematician and scientist. He was Minister of Instruction in M. Briand’s Ministry. A pioneer supporter of aviation, he lias done great service to Prance in this direction. He is 60 years of age. M. Gaston Doumergue has held various portfolios, having been at different times Minister for the Colonies, Minister of Commerce, and Minister of Public Instruction. In 1905-06 he was Vice-Presi-dent of thq Chamber of Deputies. He is 61 years of age.