FRENCH POLITICS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 June 1936, Page 5

FRENCH POLITICS

M. BLUM'S POLICY A FAR-REACHING PROGRAMME. rtess Association Electric Teleernnh— Conyrieb' PARIS, Saturday. A far-reaching programme of reform was announced by M. Blum in the course of a Ministerial declaration at the opening of Parliament. He declared: “The Government’s programme has already been endorsed by. a majority of electors. ' The sole problem is to convert it into facts.” The Government will table a number of .‘ -Bills in rapid succession confirming the 40-liour week, collectir e contracts, paid holidays, the nationalisation of th© armaments industry, considerable public works, reform of the Bank of France, extension of the school-leaving age ' and revalorisation of agricultural products. Directly these measures are passed the Government [is submitting a second series of- Bills aiming at a national unemployment fund, agricultural accident insurance, regulation of agricultural debts, old .age. pensions, and finally a draft extensive system of simplification of international policy, which will be directed to a reduction of armaments and the organisation of collective security.

Referring to foreign policy, he said: ‘ 1 The country / unanimously wants peace, which is indivisible throughout the world, involving France’s adherence to international contracts with collective security, halting the European armaments race and ensuring international understanding through publicity for, arms programmes and a progressive reduction of and control of armaments. ’ ’

The Chamber of Deputies passed a vote of • confidence in M. Blum by 384 .votes to 210.

ANGRY SCENES.

PARIS, Sunday.

Angry scenes in which the sitting was suspended and M. Blum walked out characterised the first meeting of the new Chamber. The Rightist, M. Vallat, referred to M. Chiappe, former Chief of Police and now a deputy. M. Chiappe jumped up and was greeted with Communist shouts of “Chiappe to the gallows, ’ ’ and Right counter-shouts of “Moscow, Moscow.” The uproar and bangings of desks was so great that M. Herriot, the new president, suspended the Chamber. When it reassembled, M. Yallat said: ‘ 1 This is an historic occasion as France is now for the first time governed by a Jew.”

This caused renewed uproar, in which M. Blum .walked out and his friends followed, but they were induced to return.

M. Herriot demanded that M. Vallat withdraw the expression. M. Vallat refused and M. Blum asked permission to make a statement. M. Herriot replied that he could manage the business himself. ■,

M. Vallat said that M. Blum always acknowledged liis religion, at which the Premier nodded.

M. Herriot again demanded that M. Vallat change the subject. M. Vallat, however, continued: “I ask, how a peasant nation can be ruled by an Israelite who unroots the soil with Jewish secretaries ” M. Herriot retorted: •“ I do not know Jews, Protestants nor Catholics, - only Frenchmen in the Chamber.” He added that if M. Vallat continued he would be expelled.