CAUSE AND EFFECT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 11

CAUSE AND EFFECT.

FRENCH GOVERNMENT’S DEFEAT. ftr Telegraph—Praw Associating—Copyright “ Times ” flervic*. (Received M»3’ 14. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. May 13. “The Times” fß\s that the growing cost of living, the steady increasing of the taxation burden, anil the accumulating anxieties that the average 'French man and woman are hearing were strong arguments in favour of a change of Government. ”M. Poincare for two years has concent! ated his energies on foreign affairs.” says “The Times.” ‘displaying little interest in the troubles of the average citizen and ignoring tile smaller arts of politics.” “The Times” presumes that there will be no great and sudden divergence from M. Poincare’s foreign policy. All parties, except the Communists. hare either tacitly or openly expressed approval of the Ruhr policy The paper asserts that the British Government is certainly prepared to enter a close friendly agreement with any French Governmen't for the purpose of establishing a solid basis for European peace. BRITISH VIEW OF ELECTIONS By Telegraph Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 14, 10.30 a m.) LONDON. May 13. A “Daily Mail” editorial says: • M. Poincare was defeated ju6t when his policy seemed on the verge oi achieving success. France has now •swung to the Radical-Socialist side. There is an overmastering desire for peace even at the price of great sacrifices. M. Poincare’s reverse is probably due to the fresh taxation which he had the courage, and patriotism to impose, as being the only mean! of preventing the steady fall of the franc. “Fear that the new Government may not take the same strong financial line is responsible for the heavy slump (of the franc- German militarists will regard the result of the French elections as an encouragement, and will 'do their utmost to overthrow the Dawes reparations scheme. France’s great need is a strong Government, ■co-operating closely with Britain, to (preserve peace and prevent Germany from evading her obligations. There is ‘every reason to believe that M. Briand and M. Painlfve, who are succeeding [would be equally resolute in maintaining France's safety.” — v PREMIERS TO CONFER. By Titarraph—Press ■aeaaiatlea—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 14, 9.40 a.m.) LONDIN. May 13 The opinion expressed in London is that the meeting of Mr MacDonald and M. Poincare at Chequers Court v. ill inevitably be abandoned as the result of the French elections. A meeting between Mr MacDonald ‘and the new French Premier is regarded certain, but this necessarily will be delayed to give M. Poincare's ‘fcuccessor time to look around. ‘ REPARATIONS POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received May 14, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 13. It is semi-officially stated that the jbxperts’ Plem will probably remain the Wsia of the French reparations policy, )and even if M. Poincare ceases to dirtect public affairs his successor is unlikely to abandon altogether the policy k»f the present Premier.