COLONIES VITAL TO FRANCE

Southland Times, Issue 23652, 29 October 1938, Page 7

COLONIES VITAL TO FRANCE

OVERSEAS EMPIRE AS SECURITY ZONE MEASURES FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 28, 6.30 p.m.) MARSEILLES, October 27. Discussing colonies in a speech at the Radical-Socialist Party Congress, the Prime Minister and leader of the party (M. Edouard Daladier) declared that the ■ maintenance of France’s security did not rest solely on France’s European frontiers. It was governed by freedom of communications with her overeas empire, which was being formed into a vast security zone, as precious as the Motherland. “We consider it inviolable,” he said. M. Daladier did not mention financial reforms.

The Prime Minister said the Government did not intend to abrogate the 40-hour week, but there must be elasticity in arbitration. Awards henceforth would be enforced, and neither the employers nor the workers would

be permitted to evade their duties. Strikes would be made illegal without a previous secret ballot. Foreigners or men with police records would not be permitted to be trades union delegates. Italy, Germany, and Russia _ forbade propaganda in their countries, and France henceforth would ban any nonnational movements either by foreigners or Frenchmen.

France’s recovery could not result from a miracle,’ said M. Daladier. There was no need of a saviour or a man of destiny. The country could save itself by its own efforts. Referring to Germany, M. Daladier said there were strong reasons for mutual esteem, which should lead to loyal collaboration. French foreign policy continued to be based on cooperation with Britain, but France had open understandings with other countries. , M. Daladier defended the Munich agreement and condemned the communists, who, he said, alone persisted in attacking those trying to maintain peace. He denied that France had capitulated to Germany. If he had found himself faced with an ultimatum at Munich he would have returned to Paris and appealed to the nation for resistance, he said. The Munich agreement was an act of reason, M. Daladier added. NO MORE GOVERNMENT AID TO RAILWAYS (Received October 28, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, October 27. The Minister of Finance (M. Paul Mairchandeau) announced that the Government henceforth would not give financial aid to the railways.. These were nationalized in 1937. The present deficit on the year’s working was £17,000,000.