FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1919, Page 5

FRANCE.

WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION. By Telegraph.— -Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris, Sept. 18. The Petit Journal states that a iFranco-Polish agreement has been signed to employ 100,000 Poles on reconstruction work in the devastated regions of France.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. VIGOROUS MEASURES AGAINST PROFITEER^. Paris, Sept. 17. The Government is carrying out an anti-proflteering programme. They raided a large drapery store and examined the books and stocks in order to inquire into the exorbitant prices charged for textile fabrics.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. The Government is applying the profiteering measures vigorously. There have been 100 convictions a month in the Seine Department alone. The police are visiting shops and pointing out unnecessarily high prices, and this often results in the prices being lowered. The profits, however, arc so large that no punishment stops some men from taking tho risk, though the fines may be Up to 200,000 francs (£8000) or imprisonment for five years: The Government measures could not be more drastic, and include the publication of the names of all offenders. A record of the conviction is posted on the doors of the offender's dwelling, shop, or factory. Offenders also pay the whole cost of the prosecution, and may be deported from France for a period of from two to ten years. NEW NAVAL PROGRAMME. Paris, Sept. 10. The new naval programme under consideration excludes dreadnoughts,