LITTLE HOPE HELD FOR M. BIDAULT TO FORM GOVERNMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27221, 26 October 1949, Page 7

LITTLE HOPE HELD FOR M. BIDAULT TO FORM GOVERNMENT

NZPA—Copyright

Rec. 11 p.m. PARIS, Oct. 25. France’s third Premier-designate in 10 days, the Popular Republican morning continuing his consultations with party leaders in an endeavour to form a Cabinet. If these are successful he will face the National Assembly to-morrow for election as leader, M. Georges Bidault, was this Premier, but France, 19 days without a Government, seemed indifferent to the political manoeuvring. Most lobby observers were sceptical of his success, and thought that President Auriol would in the end call back the Radical Dr Henri Queuille, who resigned three weeks ago when he clashed with the Socialists on economic policy. M. Bidault told political leaders yesterday that he will seek agreement on his Government programme and Cabinet list before asking the Assembly for a vote of confidence. His chances of success are considered to be probably slightly worse than the last two Premiers-designate, MM. Moch and Mayer, because lie cannot count on support from many Right Wing members. A new French trade union Movement. described as non>-political, and claiming 200,000 members, has been formed. It is the Free Confederation of Labour and is the fifth major trade union body in France. Its programme includes profit-sharing between employers and workers.