FRENCH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1926, Page 2

FRENCH POLITICS

[Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.] TILE FINAL SUAIMAIOY'S. LONDON, March 7. The “Observer” says: “We tiro bound to regret M. Briand’s failure, chiefly owing to the cost to France. Tlio bill amounts, proportionately, to a delay in the collecting of revenue. Franco will have to pay more for the settlement of her finances, but we tire confident there will be no collapse. The budget will he balanced. The final summons to French patriotism has arrived.” A CASE OF NERVES. PARIS, .March, 7. Nerves were, largely responsible lor the dramatic political denonmeiit. Everybody was worn out by the all night debate. Trouble with the groups on the right began yesterday, when they demanded that Al. Briaml should openly condemn the Socialist policies embodied in the Finance Bill. M. Briaml told their spokesmen that lie would stand by Al. Dimmer and expressed the conviction of a crisis, lie supported the Government's appeal to the Chamber to sink party differences in the national interest. The Premier concluded by asking, if lie was overthrown where would the Government and a majority lie found. The earlier recriminations between the Ministers and tlio Bight members had not improved matters and when tlio vote was taken the ltight voted practically oil block against the Government. The situation is now grave, since the Senate and the Chandler are aL loggerheads and no stable majority is apparent in the Chamber lor any policy. FRENCH PRESS VIEWS. PARIS, March, 7. With the exception of ”l-c Petit Journal,” which claims it foresaw that Al. Briaml would stumble over tlio unpopular payments of tax, the morning newspapers conlcss the crisis took France ami the World l»v surprise. .It’s dramatic suddenness succeeded in forcing the Geneva meeting into the hack ground as a. topic of comment, though misgiving is lelt that France's nt-e at Geneva will lose much of strength now that M. Briaml has gone and consequently Poland s chances of securing a permanent seat oil the League Council lias receded proportionally. While feeling is strong that M. Briaml will resume the premiership, it is practically unanimous that he "ill remain the foreign Alinislcr. It is noteworthy that “l.e Alaim says M Poinenirc’s mime is being canvassed in conned ion " ith the Premiership. THE EIGHT DESCRIBED. PARIS, Al.afell 8.

The defeat of the Government on a crucial point was the upshot of the lirotractcd discussion on the Finance Hill, which started yesterday morning and continued till (>.30 this morning. The afternoon’s deliberations on ten articles left the honours fairly evenly shared, some of Al. Dimmer's proposals being adopted and others rejected. A battle raged on a Radiealito amendment proposing the establishment of a Government monopoly lor the importation and sale of oil and sugar. The Chamber hv 202 to 254 refused to shelve the project in accordance with the Government finance committee's reuiiest hut finally rejected it by 21!) lo 150. After Al. Dimmer opposed the creation of a monopoly on oil, which, he pointed out. was solely a foreign commodity.

The evening sitting of the Chamber rejected Al. Dimmers recommendation for an increase of the alcohol taxes. It also decided on an increased tax embodied in a special hill. The Government is expected to derivo throe hundred million irancs from the oil and sugar tax increases.

Later tiie Chandler rejected the proposed increase in the price of tobaccos from one and a-liali to two and ai|tiarter francs, whereupon M. .Briand intervened, lie declared that ho would not go to Geneva with such Parliamentary opinion behind him. Consequently the Chandler by 200 to IGo agreed to the tobacco increase to 2 francs 10 centimes. Opposition to tiie tax on payments was led by a Socialist who pointed out that France had never been so flourishing since the war. This brought tip M. Bonnier, who threatened fo resign if tlio Chandler refused the funds demanded. THE NEXT PREMIER. PARIS. March 7. It is generally believed that M. Briand will remain Foreign Minister, and his resignation from the Premiership does not disqualify him from negotiating an amicable solution of the problems arising from Germany’s entry into the League. The t.wo names most canvassed for the Premiership are M. Cailbiux, and M. lloaul Beret. ex-Presideiit of the Chamber. It is alleged that M. Cailj hulx. is prepared to form a cabinet, and has a list of ministers in liis picket, but the real difficulty is not to find a Premier, but to find a majority in the Chamber. No stable Left majority is obtainable without the Radicals, who, like the Socialists, seceded from the Left bloc, lint whose party doctrine's do not incline them to coalesce with tho Right. Meanwhile the dissolution of the Chamber looms in the background as a last resort ; lmi the delay involved in a general election would be most detrimental to Frame’s financial position.

INTERNATIONAL SITE AT [OX < OX FUSED. LONDON, March 7

The unexpected resignations of the French Government lias confused the international situation. Responsible quarters iu London believe that Gormanv’.s admission to the Teague will not- be Jeopardised by The French crisis. According to a Berlin correspondent, M. Brinml’s defeat intensely surprised both the Government and diplomatic circles. Certain apprehension is expressed lest the meting fixed for Geneva to-morrow, he mil held.

Alter accomplishing Ins duty at Geneva. M. Briand will return, leaving M. Boneour and M. Foelienr. the task of representing France in the official deliberations of the l.eague.