FRENCH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1924, Page 2

FRENCH POLITICS.

[HY TKLECKAPII —rEK TIIESS ASSOCIATION.]

STATKAI EXT OF POLICY

PARIS, June 1C

The .Ministerial statement to he submitted to Parliament comprises a general amnesty in home politics, with certain exceptions, it also provides Tor a suppression of the I'rent'll Embassy at the Vatican, and for a strict application of the Law of Congregations. It proposes a reduction of military expenditure compatible with the security of the country.’

The financial measures include the suppression of the practice of retrenchment by administrative decrees, the restoration of the State match monopoly ; a strict enquiry into the financial position of the country, with the Budget ; prosecution ill cases of frauds against the Exchequer; a tightening up of the income tax and readjustment of direct taxation : decreases in the taxation paid by the consumer, especially in the turnover tax. The programme also provides for the observance ot the eight hour law, the right of the Government employees to belong to the trade unions is also proposed. The statement deals with the question of the consolidation of peace by an international agreement, and the extension of the pact planned by the League ol Nations, the Inteluatioii.il Labour Office, and the Court of International Justice at the Hague. The Government proposes a restoration of normal relations with Russia. The unreserved acceptance of the Experts Reparations Report on reparations is also proposed. The Government favours a continuation o! the Ruhr occupation, until the pledges provided by the General Dawes report arc handed over !>v a proper international organisation. The resumption of Allied control over the disarmament of Germany is also proposed, together with a solution of the security problem by guarantee pacts under the aegis of the League of Nations. G ICR Al A X IX DIG XATJOX. BERLIN, June 1(5 The appointment of General Xollet as French .Minister of AYar has been received with consternation and anger hv the German newspapers, particularly the Xationalist papers, wmcii indulge in violent language, terming it a. blow in flic face to Germany, and an evidence that France intends to continue the old policy.