FRENCH SENATORS' MANIFESTO

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15046, 14 April 1919, Page 5

FRENCH SENATORS' MANIFESTO

CONCERN ABOUT FINANCIAL

TERMS.

FOURTH PLENARY SESSION.

THE LABOUR CONVENTION

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received April 13, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, April 11. Following the example of the British members of Parliament, a large number of French senators have signed a manifesto demanding full restitution and reparation, together with payment of the full cost of the war. The secrecy maintained by the Council of Four, and the hint given that the terms of the treaty will not be published till after they have been •submitted to the Germans has occasioned uneasiness that the terms Nvill not be as stern as the enemy's crimes demand. France has profound concern with regard to the financial terms. She is confronted with an. annual bud.get of twenty-three milliard francs. M. Peretj chairman of the Chamber's Budget Committee, in correspondence with M. Clemoneeau regarding the lack of information supplied by the Peace Conference^ points out that the committee is unable to formulate special taxation because it is kept in the dark over the Conference's findings. He appeals for reimbursement of the costs of the war.

M. Clemenceau presided at the fourth plenary session. M. Paderewski took Ills seat with the Polish legation. Mr Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, and Mr Massey attended. /As the British panel was fully occupied there was no vacancy for Sir Joseph Ward^ who is visiting London.

Mr Barnes, in introducing the Labour Convention, said the pre-war experience of Labour laid upon the world a heavy burden and a great danger; They sought now for the first time in history to get the co-operation of States!, employers, and workers, and to get improved conditions in all countries. At the outset the convention was confronted with differing Conditions in various countries, and objection to acceptance of the decrees of any super-authority. Therefore it had to abandon the idea of uniformity or coercion, and leave it to the justice of all concerned.

M. Colliard, tho French Labour Minister, congratulated the commission upon its work, which would make future intornntirmal conventions easier.

Sir S. P. Sinha, on behalf of India, accepted the _ convention. From the industrial point of view Tndia was backward, and ho had misgivings over the convention, fearing that its conditions wore ill-adapted to tropical countries.. However, r,lr Barnes' intention that a protocol should be added safeguarding their interests satisfied him <:omoletely. M.. Vandervelde, for Belgium, and Signer Barjjilai. for Italy, supported the convention's principles.

It is reported that the British, Amor-K-ans, and tho' French oppose the inclusion of labour .points in the trenty.

The "Journal" 'states that the Gorman delegates are expected at Paris , within ten days. The League nf Nations covenant, as considered by the Commission oh", Fridnv c7id not' refer 1 to the Japanese amendment. The Japanese will bring „ tip the amendment at a later date.

UABLE NEWS.

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