A PARIS LETTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 115, Issue 19159, 20 January 1934, Page 5

A PARIS LETTER.

FRANCE AND THE NAZIS. LOTTERY LUCK. FEWER FOREIGN VISITORS. (From a Correspondent-) PARIS, November 12. Despite the pacific speeches of Hitler, his intentions are mistrusted by the person once described by M. Herriot ns “le Francals moycn.” Evidence of German rearmament, which has steadily accumulated for some years, lias made the average Frenchman rather restless concerning the Intentions of those who rule on the other side of the Rhine. This is one of the greatest obstacles to be overcome by those who honestly seek disarmament. It is believed here that the various formations of young men in Germany really constitute the. foundations of a powerful army. Whether they carry arms or- not, they are undergoing what amounts to milPary training. That is why the Freu’hman in the street is at present following with the keenest interest' every movement In Germany, and, it must be admitted, asking his fellows for how long the German Republic will refrain from creating international trouble. To put the matter shortly, France 1s rather nervous about the strong development of the Nazi movement, the influence of which is for inrrpa-e rather than reduction of armaments. lYlusoums Earn Loss. In times of economic crisis people evidently do not lake refuge from their cares in art galleries and museums. In the course of the pa-l IS months there has been a remark nblo falling off in the number _ of visitors to such places and to build j„jr S and monuments of historic Interest. The corresponding decline

in receipts is shown in a report for 1932 which has just been issued. Tlie total for that year was £50,600, compared with £90,000 in 1931. This state of affairs is partly accounted for by the fact that far fewer tourists now visit France. French people can avoid spending money on picture galleries by routining their visits to Sundays, when no charge f s made for admission. On some Sundays the Louvre is so crowded that it is almost impossible to walk about. Incidentally it is the Louvre that earns most in receipts—£7ooo In 1932. It is followed by the Mont Saint Michel, the Chateau dc Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, the PaßJheon, the palace at Fontainbleau, the Sainte Chapelle and the Musec des Voltures. Lottery Consolations. France has been shaken this week by the thrills of the biggest lottery ever organised on a national scale, and seems to have emerged from the ordeal unchanged. There arc no signs of the undermining of popular morale which was foretold by pessimists; on the contrary, publication of interviews with the winners of prizes has proved once more that France is a country of level-headed people who live in an extremely simple fashion, and who prefer lo go on doing so if fortune unexpectedly favours them. Not. only lias a hairdresser won the ••geos lot" of £62.000, but people of modest means form the main part rf Inc large body of smaller prizewinners. For those who did not. win there is still hope, for they are being urged on every hand to keep their tickets. Certain simps are offering goods at reduced prices in exchange for certain “unlucky" numbers of the first series of tickets. One Paris newspaper draws lols every day amongst all the worthless tickets sent in to it by its readers, and ten of these readers are offered the price of the ticket (alum! 25s or another liekel in the second series, the draw for which Is to take place on November 21. Ry such pleasant means the many Trenclimeu who are still very far from being millionaires are consoled. Lake Plrot. More than I I tons of lisli have been taken durLig the past couple of days

from Lake Pirol, on the edge of the vast and famous Foresl of Troneais. Their rapture has been effected by methods on which the amateur fisherman e;in only frown. It is Hie euslom. al long intervals, to drain drv lids artitleial sheet of water, which has an area of some 20(1 acre's, to clear it of its lisli and then to restock a.

The tapping of the lake, which is formed by damming the River Salmiue. took three weeks. When Ibc le\e! had been reduced sullleienlly Hie remaining water was sluiced into a special reservoir, from which I lie lisli were taken with nets. A crowd of dealers collected from far and wide to buy tin' Osh. Gomparalhely high prices were obtained —carp Three Iranes.

i tench four francs, and pike live francs Hie French pound, which is about 2a 1 per rent, heavier Ilian ours. ManInf Ihe carp ranged from four to j eight pounds in weight. The sluices have now been closed [and the pond is refltiing. Several months must elapse before it ran reach ils old level. il will then larest naked with 50,000 fry. It is 12 years since the lake was last drained.

ON DUSTY ROADS. Motorist* who travel for long s j if[olios on dusty summer roads will lind Puimonas help lo relieve throat irritation and keep the nasal p.images clear. Puimonas, 100. ward off coughs and colds and oilier effects of the exposure to ail weathers which motorists experience. Keep Puimonas liandy. 1 /■, 1/0 and 2/0 tin everywhere. .