FRENCH STRIKES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22903, 10 June 1936, Page 9

FRENCH STRIKES

A PARTIAL SETTLEMENT PEASANTS TROUBLESOME (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 8. A “ Magna Carta ” for the workers is the French press description of the strike settlement, which is largely attributed to M. Blum’s tact and firmness. It is emphasised that this is the first, time in the history of the Republic that the Government has brought together employers and workers. The agreement does not bind industry generally, since not all those involved in the strike are members of the French 'Employers’ Confederation or the Confederation of Trade Unions, but it is expected that outsiders will be compelled to follow the lead. Work has been resumed in most factories, and it is estimated that 50 per cent, of the strikers will be back before nightfall. The situation in the building and coal mining industries, however, is serious. The leaders threaten a general strike. The peasants are also troublesome, and demand protection for farm labourers as well as for factory hands, and the destruction of financial and other influences oppressing primary producers. The peasants, impressed with the success of the occupation of factories, claim that they could stop supplies of agricultural .produce and paralyse the nation. The Government is at present considering the peasants’ demands, A general strike of coal miners in the north of France has begun, but the employers and the workers will confer to-morrow. ARRAS MINERS LEAVE PITS PARIS, June 8. Fresh factory ’strikes at St. Quentin increased the number of people idle to 2000. ' A general strike is complete in the Arras mining basin, safety squads replacing the strikers in the pits. Five hundred women shirtmakers struck in Arras, and the breweries at Arras and Rouen are idle. Five hundred dustmen struck at Le Havre, leaving the streets uncleancd, EMPLOYERS HOLDING OUT PARIS, Juno 8. Tho city presents the appearance of an English Sunday. There are no taxicabs in the streets. Big departmental stores are still occupied, and it may be several days before there is a complete general resumption. Individual employers in many industries are holding out against the national agreement, which, it, is estimated, benefits 8.000,000 workers. The employers have issued a statement that, in view of a new social order being established and consequences which cannot be foreseen, the Government must accept all responsibility. , The Blue Train again did not run from the south of France, The Golden Arrow express had a foodless journey, as there was no restaurant car.

The police have issued summonses to 215 shopkeepers in Paris for raising their prices, despite warnings, during- the emergency. M. Blum has retired Police Chief Guichard, whom Left supporters accuse of being a reactionary. The new Ministers are busy drafting Bills on the lines of M Blum’s policy.

Employers and workers of departmental stores had a five hours’ conference, and reached an agreement that the workers may join trade unions and that there will be no reprisals for striking. The conference adjourned to discuss wages to-morrow. The most serious feature of the day was a further extension of the strike to the provinces. The strike of the miners in the Nord and the Pas de Calais districts became effective, 150,000 surface workers joining the miners. Big stores at Bordeaux did not open this morning, the managers deciding to lock the workers out rather than allow threatened occupation.