FRENCH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 4

FRENCH POLITICS

M. TARDIEU ILL.

[(Jnited Press Association— By Electric 6

Telegraph—Copyright.]

PARIS, Feb. 17.

His doctors forbid M. Tardieu to leave his bed or to see visitors, or to do work of any kind. Nevertheless the Ministers met at M. Tardieu’s bedside, where the traditional letter of resignation to the President whs drafted.

The crisis came with dramatic suddenness, but it was not entirely unexpected, in view of the determined hostilities of the Left Parties to the Government. 's' . \ . s

The amendment on which the Government was defeated, though nominally small, was the last of repeated attempts to reduce taxes in the budget debate. - .

,CAUSE OF THE DEFEAT.

PARIS, Feb. 17. The cause of the defeat of, the Tardieu Government was the tax on the profits of the small shopkeepers which the Finance Commission wanted to reduce. To this M. Cheren (Minister of Finance), refused to agree, on the, ground that it would endanger the Budget balance. He made the question one of confidence. Hence the necessity for the' Government’s resignation. , ! •, JVI. Tardieu’s absence in London was the direct cause of the defeat. He has been unable jtjo keep a hold on the recalcitrant ‘ deputies. It is expected, however, that M. Tardieu will be asked to reform the Ministry.