The Grey River Argus MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1948. ANOTHER UPSET

Grey River Argus, 30 August 1948, Page 4

The Grey River Argus MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1948. ANOTHER UPSET

THE collapse of the tenth Ministry to take office, since the war in France, illustrates afresh the political instability of that country. It also makes a marked contrast with the comparative stability of the other regimes which are engaged in the momentous negotiations for a settlement in Germany, and thereby a restoration of genuine peace in Europe. The Government’s downfall may be attributed to the Finance Minister. M. Reynaud, being due to his economic scheme —a long-time plan of immediate sacrifices for the sake of ultimate stability—but the fundamental factors are a grave economic crisis and political cross currents. These latter will continue to endanger the ship of State until such time as they can bu unified sufficiently to float an administration for a sufficient period to carry out some sort of a plan of recovery. It would appear that the previous administration of M. Schuman ought not to have been sacrified over comparatively minor issues. . Although its proposed expenditure to keep up some measure of military strength was unpopular, M. Reynaud did not find any greater favour when he made a big cut in the military budget. Objection was raised against his economy measures, including some reductions in the public service, better prices for certain commodities, and the importation of supplies required for an industrial revival. The Government, one formed of the socalled Centre, was calculated to follow as far as possible a middle course, in contrast with the aims of the Communists on the one hand and of the De. Gaullists on the other. It has turned out that the Socialists have chosen to regard Reynaud as leaning towards the capitalistic side, or at anyrate as disposed to give the rural elements at least as great consideration as the urban wage-earners, who are pretty hard up, and have been for a long time. The Socialists are largely supported by ’ the public servants, and naturally are opposed to retrenchment in that quarter, which would be calculated to ease the budget crisis. The French are apt to buck taxation in no uncertain fashion, although the system of collection has become pretty effective, and the question for any regime, at the present time is where to find the money for any measure of recovery. France is more self-supporting than Britain, and it is in the sphere of foreign trade especially that her financial difficulty has the most serious effect. Reynaud declares that large imports .must be ‘financed even to maintain the workers in employment at a, decent standard of remuneration, whereas the large farming population is able to maintain itself by its own initiative and productivity. Politically the pattern is one of the most complicated in ’ the world, with a plurality of parties, and deep prejudices. The presence, for instance, in this Parliament of a large Communist Party is due in no small degree to a disposition of many to vote for radical action of an immediate sort, rather than to an ?’deological adhesion to the generalise tions of Marxian theory. Hence it may be believed when the present National Assembly is said to recognise that a general election is indicated as logical, but to fear that it might result in the people plumping in a substantial majority for the policy of General De Gaulle. He obviously would go further than M. Reynaud in the matter of laying down a longtime policy, and what is more, would probably take steps to prevent its being upset or sidetracked by 'any party dispute likely to arise in the Assembly upon any particular point of j policy. Meantime the parliamentary machine is not working effectually, and the only sign of agreement seems to be that among the veteran politicians, who are disposed favourably towards a rather conservative course until such time as the State finances

and the industries are restored to some degree of normality. It is now doubtful if a restoration is to be expected by Parliamentary means. There has been a succession of failures in this sphere. The welfare of the country finally must depend on the common sense of the people. History shows that in the case of the Frenqji, a. very radical change is to be anticipated when the people are persuaded that it should be adopted. What might soon pre-, cipitate one is the fact that, France to-day has critical obligations if she is to play her traditional part in European affairs, and the risk that should she- fail to live up to that role, she will herself suffer iconsequences more disruptive than any resulting from such sacrifices as the sustained conservation of her finance, industry and influence | would entail.