SPLIT ON WAGE POLICY

Chronicle (Levin), 3 May 1947, Page 5

SPLIT ON WAGE POLICY

Press Assn.-

Break In Frettch Coalitidli Threatened

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Received Satprday, ,10.40 a.m;, LONDOH, May 2., Colonial revolts abroad 'and sudden shifts in the Communist .policy at home threaten to Dreafi up ihe Prench Coalition Governrrieht; led bv M Paul Ramadier. Hurried Cabinet meetings and Darty and inter-party cdnfferenceS vesterday ended in an announcement by M. Ramadier that he would ask for a vote of confidence in the National Assembly today. If [ he did not get it, he said he would M Ramadier put the moticm of confidence this eVening, but it will noi be voted on until Sunday morninR. a In his appeal for a vote of confiaence, M. Ramadier announced that he would be willing to reconsiaer the national wage poli6y in juiy. He insisted that wages must meanwhile remain fixed. He said he feared for the independence of France if the present financial situation became worse. "If you agree with me we will continue. If not, let others take the responsibility. 1 appeal to all. The Republic's fate is at stake." (Reuter's says this iS interpreted as a last-minute appeal to the Communists to avoid a break-up of the Coalition). M. Ramadier said that France's internationai trade defieit last year was £43,750,000 sterling ahd this vear would be £162,500,000. Domes{ic difficulties would make this bad situation worse. M. Ramadier otfered to concede bonuses to industries which earned them by reul production increases. He re-c-alled the Governmeht's f°rirmonths' agreement with tlie French Confederation of Labour to hoia wimes at their present level, and commented that the agrfeement was two months old when the Paris Metal Workers' Union made new wage demands. Economic Threat To France Reuter's Paris corresp'ofiderit says that the Assembly loudly applauded many of M. Ramadier's points except the Communists, Who were siient throughout. M. Ramadier, emphosising the economic threat to France, said the repercussions of a curreney br'eakdown would be terrible. He questioned whether the R,epublican regime could stand such a blow. The people must be told the truth and the working class must know where dangdr lay. _ Hhe Communst Secretary-Gsneral (M. Duclos) ac'cuSed the SOcialists and M.R.P. (Pdpular Republican Movement) of encouraging unolficial strikes with a view to undermining the Communist influence in the trades union. M. D'ucloS dfe'f. lended claims of the Rferiault workers for an increase in their bonus for increased production and added that the Governments economic policy needed revismg. The price level had fallen only 3.3. Everything must be done to encourage hlgher production. The Assembly then adjourned.