STRIKE GOES ON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19039, 12 June 1936, Page 5

STRIKE GOES ON

CONFUSION IN FRANCE MOVE SPREADS SOUTH CABINET PEACE EFFORTS FORTY-HOUR WORK WEEK (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) LONDON, June 11,

Paris reports slate that whilst strike settlements continue, tens of thousands of workers and non-unionists are without any clear plan of action. Thousands of Parisians went without breakfast owing to the strike of waiters and butchers.

Rouen is paralysed owing to the occupation of part of the docks by strikers. Workmen engaged on the construction of the Eastern fortifications have downed tools.

The strike movement is spreading to Marseilles, which is without taxis or newspapers. „

The continuance of the strikes was most unexpected and in some quarters it is suggested that many workers feel that they must take advantage of the situation before it is overlate. The Paris correspondent of The Times says tliat the. elation in Government and Labour circles at the settlement in principle, is evaporating. There is even renewed alarm In some quarters, not only because the strikers refuse to re-' sume despite the generous terms, but the strike, hitherto a model of discipline and good humour, is taking an uglier turn.

M. Daladier, the Minister of Defence, announced the arrest of a number of armed agent provocateurs, a Along the strikers who are organising street demonstrations in Paris and elsewhere. A procession yesterday obstructed! the traffic..

There is a danger of such demonstrations becoming unmanageable, especially as the Prime Minister, M. Leon Blum, declared that the Government would not use force against the strikers. This statement is regarded as a blunder even -by friendly critics. There 'is "also the possibility of counter demonstrations by the Croix dfe* Feu, and less peaceful bodies. . ' '

M. Reynaud, ex-Finance Minister, M. Rotlin, ex- Minister of Commerce,. and other critics, strongly opposed, the fortyhour Bill during'the discussion at the. Parliament Commission.

M.. Jaubert, Radical-Socialist, reserved his opinion, which is regarded as significant as the Radical-Socialists were expected to support the Bills.

The Prime Minister defended the measure and contended that a 40-hour work week would accelerate the currency rhythm, and promised vigorously to support the weaker industries. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail says that a strike of 20,CC0 cutters, seamstresses, designers, and fitters in fashionable uieasunakers’ establishments, including those of Molyneux, Jean Patou, Paquin and Worth has caused consternation among English and French society women, who feat* 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.

It is expected that thousands of pounds worth of orders will be placed in London instead of Paris.