BELGIAN CRISIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 7

BELGIAN CRISIS

CABINET RESIGNS Premier Wants to Be Free DEFENCE AGAINST ATTACKS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright; Received Oct. 26, 5.5 p.m. BRUSSELS, Oct. 25. The Van Zeeland Cabinet has resigned. The crisis has arisen from the internal affairs of the National Hank, but not associated with financial uifiiculties. One of the reasons for M. Van Zeeland’s action is his determination uO be free to defend himself against attacks by a section of the Press. In a broadcast talk, in which he gave the reasons for his resignation, premier M. Van Zeeland blamed a campaign of canimny against the unity of the Government again.-! which it was impossible to work successfully. The attacks nad continued and they had finally arrived at the incident of tne National Bank. “1 do not remain indifferent to these attacks,” he said, “because they concern a great establishment to which I have belonged for fifteen years. They must be cleared up quickly, and by resuming liberty of action 1 will assist in doing so.” At his own request, M. Franck, Governor of tne National Bank, has oeen granted three months’ leave of absence. He intends to devote the time to defending his honour against attacks. M. Van Zeeland's opponents, among other allegations, say that the National Bank negligently discounted accommodation bills and other doubtful documents presented by the Goldzieher and Penso Bank, which has gone bankrupt with big liabilities. The Belgian Chamber of Deputies neld an extaordinary session on September 7 to hear M. Van Zeeland defend himself against allegations by the- Rexists and Flemish Nationalists regarding his relations with the National Bank. M. Van Zeeland denied that he received a salary as vicegovernor of the bank simultaneously with his office as Prime Minister, and declared that by resigning from the bank and joining the Government he had sacrificed £12,000. NINE-POWER CONFERENCE POSTPONEMENT POSSIBLE Received Oct. 26, 6.30 p.m. BRUSSELS, Oct. 25. The Ministerial crisis may necessitate a short postponement of the Nine-Power Conference.