FRANCE IN CHAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1940, Page 5

FRANCE IN CHAINS

THE NEW CONSTITUTION BILL BEFORE RUMP OF PARLIAMENT COUNTRY'MADE GERMAN COLONY. UNDER ABSOLUTE POWER OF HITLER. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, July 9. The Bill for the revision of the French Constitution was approved last night, by the Petain Government at Vichy, where today it will be introduced in the “rump” of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate by the Prime MinisterDesignate, M. Laval. The Bill will be of historic importance because it will mean the end of the chapter of liberty, equality and fraternity which France has known for 70 years. “The Times” says the purpose of the change in the Constitution is to place France under the absolute power of Hitler. France will be Fascist rather than Nazi, but in all things subservient to German policy. French policy will be that of the German Reich. An indication of what is involved. “The Times” says, is contained in a statement by the French Minister of Labour, M. Pomaret, that the new France will abandon her exaggerated industrialism. This is the policy Germany is trying to enforce on Denmark and Holland. The rest of Europe is to be Germany’s colonial territory. The Italian Press says the endeavours of the Petain Government to win the favour of .Italy will not meet with success. Nothing the Petain Government does will modify Italy’s peace conditions. TEXT OF BILL ALL POWERS TO PETAIN GOVERNMENT. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) VICHY, July 9. The text of the new Constitution Bill, now before the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, reads: “The National Assembly gives all powers to the Government under Marshal Petain’s signature.” The authority is in effect a promulgation of a new constitution for the French State, which as at present constituted cannot guarantee the rights of labour, the family or the Fatherland. The new constitution will be ratified by the Assemblies it recasts. The Foreign Office announces that M. Cambon (Charge D’Affaires in Britain, whose resignation, was reported recently) has been provisionally suspended. His request to be placed on the retired list has been refused. DRAFT APPROVED HEAVY VOTE IN CHAMBER. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) VICHY, July 9. The Chamber of Deputies is reported to have approved the draft of the Constitution Bill, by 395 votes to 3. M. Reynaud attended the Chamber with his head bandaged. This is his first public appearance since his accident. _________