FRENCH POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 35

FRENCH POLITICS

M. BBIAND FORMS NEW CABINET. PARIS, March 1C M. Briand has completed his Cabinet. M. Caillaux is not included. M. Raoul Peret has accepted the portfolio of Finance. M. Doumergue received M. Briand and the members of the Cabinet at 2 o’clock this morning. NEW CABINET ANNOUNCED. i chamber Majority expected. PARIS, March 10. M. Briand retains the Foreign Ministry in the new Cabinet which comprises the following members: —Finance, M. Raoul Peret; Interior, M. Malvy; War, M. Painleve; Justice, M. Laval; Colonies, M. Leon Perrier; Marine, M. Levgues; Agriculture, M. Dorrand; Works, M. de Monzie; Labour, M. Durafour; Public Instruction, M. La Moureux. The lastnamed hitherto has been reporter of the General Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. At first it was hoped that M. Caillaux would accept the portfolio of Finance, but he refused to join a Cabinet containing M. de Monzie. It is expected that there will be a majority in the Chamber sufficient to carry a vote of confidence in the new Government, thus allowing M. Briand to go to Geneva without delay. He will leave for Switzerland to-night as he considers the league crisis even more urgent than the French situation.

Interviewed when leaving the Elysee, M. Briand said that he had told M. Doumergue that in view of the present situation he did not consider himself justified in refusing to try to form a Cabinet.

As regards the question of a majority in the Chamber in support of the new Cabinet, a large number of the 221 delegates who voted for the Government in the crucial division on March 6. met and derided to constitute a permanent majority, which will probably be joined by those who abstained from voting.

The Socialist group rejected a motion m favour cf supporting the new Government, and carried a resolution by a small majority declaring the policy which the group was prepared loyal!” and wholeheartedly to support, a policy which would include particularly that financial reconstruction could only be carried out bv a majority based on the support of the Radical. Republican, and Socialist Parties.

M. Briand, who has been nine times Prime Minister, formed his Cabinet in 10 hours. Both these achievements are records. The complexion of the new Ministry is Left, but leaning slightly further to the Right than its predecessor. The inclusion of M. La Moureux and M. Malvy assures the support of th« bulk of tho Radicals. It is noteworthy that M Raoul Peret, who is nowise a tyro in fffiar.ee, is moderate and unlikely to propose startling innovations.

Generally speaking, M. Briand’s resnrm»« fion of office has created a good impression. Figaro regards the Cabinet as a mere stop gap to enable M. Briand to go to Geneva with renewed prestige to repair the damage which the French apr> r '»- hend their case has suffered through the absence of an authorative spokesman.

EXCHANGE RATE IMPROVES. LONDON, March 10.

The French franc was Quoted on Tendon at 134 this afternoon, but it improved tr 132,.65 immediately tlie news of M. Briand’s acceptance of the Prime Ministership was known.