SOCIALIST DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21211, 5 December 1938, Page 7

SOCIALIST DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY

Internal Crisis in France Sequel to Recourse to Direct Action “War Declared on Government” United Press Association— B* El««trlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 4, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, December 3. Tire Socialist leaders throughout France, in impassioned speeches, declared war against the Government. M. Blum (Leader of the Socialist Party), told a party meeting that he would not rest until he had obtaneid reparation for the strike victims. M. Paul Faure declared that the acceptors of M. Daladier’s measures were ripe for every slavery and the loss of rights. He resolved on a relentless warfare while there was a single strike victim. Extremes Deplored The Paris correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph” states that the attitude of employers is creating anxiety in view of the tendency to humiliate the strikers. M. Blum’s group promises to champion them and denounces the lock-outs, and the Premier (M. Daladier) is urging clemency. In the meantime the lockouts threaten the national economy. The Government’s reprisals will affect a few thousand workers and 500,000 are still idle, but normality is expected within a week. The Bourse is already more confident. Well-Known Leader Arrested A Valenciennes message reports that the police arrested Albert Thomas, the Trade Union leader, after a chase at Denain, in which it is alleged that Thomas threw paving stones. The incident was the sequel to a tree fight when 5000 strikers tried to prevent the workers from resuming. It is alleged that Thomas was responsible for the metal-workers’ strike.

PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY HOPES OF RESUMPTION OF WORK United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 4, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, December 3. The Prime Minister (M. Daladier) in a statement, said that although the events of November 30, legally broke Individual labour contracts, they did not modify or suspend collective contracts, consequently they would not change the material conditions of work which the Government hoped would he resumed normally. Arrests of Leaders The authorities arrested two secretaries of the Seamen's Union, and issued a warrant for the third official. All Ports Threatened It is believed the strike may tie up all ports. In addition to Le Havre, Boulogne, Bordeaux and Dieppe already are affected. The Prime Minister has requisitioned the ships in the harbour in an attempt to break the strike at Le Havre. EXTENSION OF STRIKE THOUSANDS OF DOCKERS IDLE United Pless Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 5, 1.0 a.m.) PARIS, December 4. The Le Havre dockers and seamen strikers exceed 5000. Over twenty steamers are held up.