FRANCE LOOKING TO HER DEFENCES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 26 (Supplement)

FRANCE LOOKING TO HER DEFENCES.

PARIS, November 8. In an excited chamber and before crowded public galleries, M. Andre Tardieu, the new Prime Minister, this afternoon disclosed his Government’s policy. After his statement, a debate opened in which a violent assault on the Government was launched by the parties of the Left. M Tardieu said in his declaration that the agreement at The Hague did not conflict with the principles on which the new Government based its foreign policy. “To participate in the international , discussion begun or about to begin with that liberty of spirit which secur itv imparts, the new Government,” said the Prime Minister, “ will proceed actively with the defensive c “ganisation of our frontiers.” Another striking phrase in the decla ration was to the effect that the new Government is to safeguard France's freedom of communications with her colonies. A reasonable interpretation of this ■ phrase is that at the forthcoming Naval , Conference in London France will re-' sist any proposals for the restriction of . submarine building. [ M. Tardieu made it plain that the Government intends to raid for the j benefit r» the community the vast balances accumulated at the Treasury i Millions of pounds, he indicated, are to be devoted to the country’s industrial • equipment.