STABILISING THE FRANC

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1926, Page 9

STABILISING THE FRANC

THE COST OF GOODS RAISED FOREIGNERS REMAIN AWAY PARIS GREATLY DEPRESSED By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyrlgit. Received Dec. 8, 5.5 p.m. . . , Par ‘ S ’ DeC - 7 - The shopkeepers laces are growing sadder as the continued improvement of the franc has rendered their prices extortionate. While complaining plaintively of the lack of customers shopkeepers sell, for instance, a neektie for 75 francs which is purchaseable in London for half the price. Cafes are deserted, hotels are half full, while Montemarte, which relies almost exclusively upon foreigners, is loudly complaining. The coal black leaders of the coal black zz bands see their occupation fast disappearing. The only hope for the cafe proprietor, as he gazes over an ample shirt front at the deserted tables, is that M. Poincare will come to a sudden end. There were only 80 passengers from London by train at the Gare Du Nord, whereas there were hundreds previously. Hotels, whose prices were exorbitant when the franc was down and Paris full of foreigners, are besieging the tourist agencies to participate in the few orders that are going. Prices everywhere are too high for the Parisian, hence business is at the lowest ebb since the war days. The Frenchman’s one consolation is that he has the boulevards to himself, after loudly complaining that they were chock full of barbarians.