ERA OF STRIKES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22905, 12 June 1936, Page 9

ERA OF STRIKES

THE POSITION IN FRANCE THOUSANDS STILL IDLE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PARIS, June 10. Seventy thousand textile workers in the Roubaix and Tourcoing districts will resume to-morrow with a 10 per cent, increase in pay. Their other demands will be discussed when M. Blum's Bills are passed. The northern miners are returning, but the drift to work is not yet general. The idlers, according to some estimates, number 900.000, including new strikers coming out owing to the trades unions' powerlessncss. The latest stay-in strikers are the employees of fashionable costumiers, manikins, and midinettes sitting in windows chaffing passers-by. Three thousand five hundred agriculturists at Seine et Oise struck, also stonemasons, market gardeners, florists, racing stable boys, and Parisian charwomen.

, One thousand eight hundred and fifty strikers - occupied the Schneider munition works at' Le Harve, and the strikers have still not evacuated the Citroen, Renault, and Courtauld works. The Blue. Train rah again, but the employees on the French line struck after the sailing of the Normandie at 11 a.m., occupying warehouses. Many employers repudiate the wage increases, declaring that the concessions total 35 per cent, when a 40-hour week and paid holidays are considered. The Parisian police are prosecuting shopkeepers for profiteering to the extent of 50 to 100 per cent, when the food supply was menaced. Already 250 summonses have been issued. Lifeboatmen on the Seine are striking, and have erected placards forbidding people to jump into the water, adding, humorously, that while the strike lasts only mothers-in-law will be saved.

ENTERING A NEW PHASE LONDON, June 10. The Manchester Guardian's Paris correspondent considers it. is becoming clearer every day that France is entering a new phase. She is tired of the three years of depression. She considers that conservatism and economic caution are played out, and is prepared to engage in experiments regardless of danger. The psychological atmosphere has enormously improved, and hope of replacing widespread pessimism, even among employers. The textile trade in the north of France has sent a deputation to M. Blum urging that the increased costs would necessitate export subsidies to enable the industry to compete in colonial and foreign markets. Herr Hitler regards the strikes as a fulfilment of his prophecy that Bolshevism has spread to France. His aversion to the Soviet extending to France, and even his aversion to Western democracy as a whole, are increasing his reluctance to reply to the British questionnaire.

STRIKE OF DRESSMAKERS - '•■■•■•■• LONDON, June' 11." (Received June 11, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Mail's Paris correspondent says: "A strike of 20,000 cutters, seamstresses, designers, fitters and fashionable dressmakers has caused consternation among English and French society women, who fear delay in the delivery of dresses for forthcoming functions, including Ascot and the French Derby on June 14. Already three fashionable French weddings have been postponed and it is expected that thousands of pounds worth of orders will be placed in London instead of Paris."

M. Rcynaud, ex-Finance Minister, M. Rollin, ex-Minister of Commerce, and other critics strongly opposed the 40hour Bill during a discussion by the Parliamentary Commission. M. Jaubert, Radical Socialist, reserved his opinion which is regarded as significant, as the Radical Socialists arc expected to support tho Bill. M. Blum defended the measure and contended that a. 40-hour week would accelerate currency rhythm. He promised vigorously to support the weaker industries. ......

STRIKE TAKES UGLIER TURN LONDON, June 11. (Received June 11, at 8 p.m.) The Times Paris/correspondent says: " Elation in Government and Labour circles at the settlement in principle is evaporating and there is even renewed alarm in some quarters not only because the strikers refuse to resume despite the generous terms, but the strike, which has hitherto been a model of discipline and good humour, is .taking an uglier turn. M. Daladier announced the arrest of a number of armed agents provocateurs while strikers were organising street demonstrations in Paris and elsewhere. A procession to-day obstructed the traffic. There is a danger of such demonstrations becoming unmanageable, especially as M. Blum declared that he would not use force against the strikers, which is regarded as a blunder, even by friendly critics. There is also a possibility of counter demonstrations by the Croix du Feu and less peaceful bodies.

EFFECT ON BELGIUM BRUSSELS, June 10. The situation in France is influencing Belgium. M. Van Zeeland's programme is believed to include paid holidays, though he is opposed to the 40-hour week. He also favours collective bargaining by employers and workers, and the establishment of technical councils in each industry to advise upon laws affecting them, while he sponsors drastic constitutional reforms.

An attempt by the Belgian coal miners at Leige to emulate the stay-in strikers failed. The police ejected them without incident. FOOD RIOTING IN MADRID MADRID, June 10. Food rioting has broken out as a result of a scries of strikes during the past week, and the city is threatened with a general strike.