HAS RESIGNED

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20334, 26 October 1937, Page 7

HAS RESIGNED

THE BELGIAN CABINET CRISIS IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS BITTER ATTACKS BY PRESS United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received Oct. 26, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, Oct. 25. Dr. van Zeeland’s Cabinet resigned to-day. The crisis has arisen from the internal affairs of the National Bank and is not associated with the financial difficulties cabled on September 7. Dr. van Zeeland intends to broadcast the reasons for his action, one of which Is his determination to be free to defend himself against attacks by a section of the press. On September 7 it was cabled that the Belgian Chamber of Deputies was holding an extraordinary session to hear the Prime Minister, Dr. Van

Zeeland, defend himself against allegations of the Rexists and Flemish Nationalists regarding his relations with the National Bank. The Prime Minister denied that he received a salary as vice-governor of the bank, and simultaneously as Prime Minister, and declared that by his resignation from the bank and Joining the Government he had sacrificed £12,000.

GENERAL FOUND DEAD . DIRECTOR OF A BANK COURT PROCEEDINGS PENDING United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Oct. 26, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, Oct. 25. A sensation has been caused by the news that General Etienne, a director of the Golcisziemer and Penso Rank, has been found dead with two wounds ; near the heart, caused by a carving knife. ! Several bank officials are at present | before the Correctional Court, and recent debates in Parliament showed that proceedings were pending against General Etienne. GOVERNOR DEFENDB HONOUR BANKRUPTCY OF A BANK ALLEGATIONS BY OPPONENTS aiaUed Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 26, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, Oct. 25 At his own request M. Franck, Governor of the National Bank, has been granted three months’ leave of absence. 'He intends to devote the time lo defending his honour against attacks. Dr. von Zeeland’s opponents, among other allegations, say that the National Bank negligently discounted accommodation bills and other doubtful documents presented by the Goldszieher and Penso Bank which went bankrupt with big liabilities. CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY DR. VAN ZEELAND EXPLAINS ’ 'Vlii.ll “ MUST BE CLEARED UP United A«sn —Elen. Tel. Copyright. (Received Oct. 26. 1 p.m.) BRUSSELS, Oct. 25 The Ministerial crisis may necessitate a short postponement of the Nine- | Power Conference. In broadcasting his reasons for resignation, Dr. van Zeeland blamed the campaign of calumny against the unity of Lite Government, against which it Was impossible to work successfully. The attacks continued and finally ar- : rived at the incident of the National Bank. ”1 cannot remain Indifferent to tlffese attacks,” said Dr. van Zeeland, “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 I will assist in doing so.”