FRENCH CABINET’S FALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 6

FRENCH CABINET’S FALL.

The regularity with which Ministries rise and fall in France seems to be the only stable feature of the country’s politics. In little more than twelve months five Governments have failed to retain the confidence of the people. The resignation of M. Camille Chautemps’ Cabinet, though not entirely unexpected, is none the less unfortunate, not only for the people of France, but also for Europe generally. So long as the present state of chaos obtains in the politics of France, so long will the voice of the country’s delegates in the councils of the nations remain an uncertain quantity. Now above all times stability and continuity of purpose on the part of a country holding a key position in Europe are desirable, and the constant changes in leadership, and therefore in at least some aspects of foreign policy, must be particularly exasperating to those charged with the duty of unravelling the tangled skein of international politics on the Continent. M. Chautemps had succeeded in forcing through a much divided house drastic measures to bring about economic reforms and .improve a desperate budgetary position. It had seemed he had a firmer grip upon the Government and the people than his predecessors. Then came the Stavisky financial scandal and its far-reaching developments, and since then the political position seems to have drifted into a worse position than before. Evidence that the people are seriously discontented with their representation is only too plain. M. Chautemps has refused to again attempt to form a Ministry, and, indeed, the prospect is not at all inviting to any prospective Prime Minister. France is crying aloud for leadership, but another essential is a reorientation of the party system, or, more accurately in the case of France, of the group party system. While France endeavours to put its house in order many important questions affecting other nations must remain in abeyance.