FRENCH POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21542, 14 January 1932, Page 7

FRENCH POLITICS

GOVERNMENT RESIGNS NATIONAL CABINET LIKELY (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.). PARIS, January 12. The Cabinet Council concurred with the desirability of forming a National Government, and with this in view all the Ministers have placed their portfolios at M. Laval’s disposal. M. HERRIOT REFUSES PORTFOLIO. PARIS, January 12. (Received Jan. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) M. Herriot refused M. Laval’s offer of the Foreign Ministry and other portfolios. The Radical Socialists have refused to co-operate in a national Government. The Cabinet has resigned. REASON FOR - RESIGNATION. PARIS, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 10.30 p.m.) When the members of the Cabinet placed their resignations in M. Laval’s hands for the purpose of the reshuffle they little thought that their action would in a few hours lead to the end of the Ministry. M. Laval was authorised by the Cabinet to construct a Government of National Union so that the country might face the Lausanne Conference unitedly. He consulted his opponents, the chief of whom is M. Herriot, who, with his following of 125 radical Socialist deputies, held the key to the position. He offered M. Herriot the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and a fair proportion of the other appointments. M. Herriot consulted his party, by whom the invitation was declined on the ground that they were not convinced that the foreign situation justified broadening the basis of the Cabinet. Nevertheless, M. Herriot emphasised that he placed national above party interests. In face of this reverse M. Laval, visited the President, and tendered his own and his Ministers’ resignations.