NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21156, 4 July 1940, Page 8

NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION

MARSHAL PETAIN’S DETERMINATION BREAK AWAY FROM ROUTINE FORMALITIES NATION’S DEFEAT CALLS FOR BOLD MEASURES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 4, 3.15 p.m.) VICHY, July 3 The French Government proposes to call a National Assembly to revise the constitution, according to the Havas Agency, which says the Government will demand the necessary powers to form a new Constitution Under the high authority of Marshal Petain. The Havas Agency adds that the Constitution must be ratified by the National Assembly or its elected representatives acting instead of the present Parliament. JVider representation would be reserved for professional organisations. Marshal Petain and his colleagues are determined to break away from routine formalities. f ranee’s defeat calls for bold measures and Parliament must help the Government to reform the whole structure of the Administration. A debate will probably open next week in both Chambers, after which the National Assembly will meet. The essential object of the new Constitution will be to guarantee the rights of labour, family and fatherland. This project has been under consideration since the armistice. Numbers of Parliamentarians, when advised of this, declare that they are aware of the necessities of the hour. The new Constitution will be bold and modern. Work and intelligence must supersede favouritism and a plutocracy.