GRIM OUTLOOK IN FRANCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20442, 12 June 1936, Page 9

GRIM OUTLOOK IN FRANCE

CHANGING TEMPER OF STRIKERS COOLING OF OFFICIAL OPTIMISM United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 11, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 11. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says: The elation In Government and labour circles at the settlement in the principal industries is evaporating. There is even renewed alarm in some quarters not only because the strikers refuse to resume despite the generous terms, but the strike, which has hitherto been a model of discipline and good humour, is taking an uglier turn. M. Daladier announces the arrest of a number of armed agent-provocateurs. While the strikers were organising street demonstrations in Paris and elsewhere, a procession to-day obstructed the traffic. There is a danger of such demonstrations becoming unmanageable, especially as M. Blum has declared he would not use force against the strikers, which is regarded as a blunder even by the friendly critics. There is also the possibility of counter demonstrations by the Croix de Feu and less peaceful bodies. SERIOUS SPREAD OF STRIKE SPIRIT OF REVOLUTION ABROAD United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrtgh t (Received June 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 11. The Paris correspondent of ‘“The Daily Mail” says: The strike of 20,000 cutters, seamstresses, designers -nd fitters in the fashionable dressmakers, including Molyneux, Jean Patou, Paquin and Worth, caused consternation among English and French society women who fear the delay in the delivery of dresses for the 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. M. Reynaud (ex-Minister of Finance) and M. Rollin (ex-Minister of Commerce) and other critics strongly opposed the 40-hour bill. During the discussion by the Parliamentary Commissioner M. Jaubert (Radical Socialist) reversed his opinion, which is regarded as significant as the Radical Socialists are expected to Support the bills. The Prime Minister (M. Leon Blum) defended the measure. He contended the 40-hour week would accelerate currency rhythm. He promised vigorously to support weaker industries. The French line lightning strike has ended, the company acceding to the majority of the demands. THOUSANDS ON STRIKE WIDESPREAD LABOUR UNREST United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 11, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, June 10. One thousand textile workers in the Roubaix and Tourcoing district are resuming to-morrow, with a 10 per cent increase in pay. Othe. demands will be discussed when M. Blum’s Bill is passed. The northern miners are returning, but the drift to work is not yet general. The Idlers, according to some estimates, are nine hundred thousand, including new strikers who are coming out owing to the trades unions’ lack of power. The latest "stay-in" strikers are the employees of the fashionable costumiers. The mannequins and midinettes are sitting in the windows chaffing the passers-by. A total of 3500 agriculturists in the Seine-et-Oise have struck, also the stonemasons, market gardeners, florists, racing stable boys and Parisian charwomen. Strikers to the number of 1850 have occupied the Schneider munition works at Le Havre, and the strikers have still not evacuated the Citroen, Renault and Courtauld works.

The Blue Train ran again, but the employees of the French Line struck after the sailing of tht Normandie at 11 a.m., and occupied the warehouses. Many employers repudiate the wage increases, declaring that the concession will total 36 per cent when the fortyhour week and paid holidays are considered. The Parisian police are prosecuting the shopkeepers for profiteering to .he extent of 50 to 100 per cent when the food supply was menaced Already 250 summonses have been issued. The lifeboatmen on the Seine, who are striking, erected placards forbidding people to jump into the water adding humorously: “While the strike lasts only mothers-in-law will be saved.” SEE-SAW STRIKE SITUATION RAPID SPREAD OF DISTURBANCES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 12, 1.0 a.m.) PARIS, June 11. The see-saw of strike settlements continues with ten thousand workers, non-unionists, without any clear plan of action. Thousands of Parisians went without breakfast owing to a strike of waiters and butchers. Rouen is paralysed owing to the occupation of the port by striking dockers. Workmen engaged in the construction of the eastern fortifications have downed tools. The strike movement is spreading to Marseilles, which is without taxis and newspapers. The continuance of the strikes in the most unexpected quarters suggests that many workers feel that they must take advantage of the situation before it is too late. FRANCE ENTERS NEW PHASE EXPERIMENTS REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. June 10. The Paris correspondent of “The Manchester Guardian” considers that

it is becoming clearer every day that France is entering a new phase. She is tired of three years of depression, ; nd considers that conservatism and economic caution are played out, and is prepared to engage in experiments regardless of danger. The psychological atmosphere has enormously improved, and hope is replacing widespread pessimism, even among the employers. The textile trade of North Frrnce sent a deputation to M. Blum urging that Increased costs would necessitate export subsidies, to enable the industry' to compete in the colonial and foreign markets. VIEWS OF GERMANY SEES DANGER IN SPREAD OF BOLSHEVISM United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, June 10. Herr Hitler regards the strikes as the fulfilment of his prophecy that Bolshevism had spread to France. His aversion to the Soviet extending to France, and even to western democracy as a whole, is increasing his reluctance to reply to the British questionnaire.