FRENCH GOVERNMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 October 1940, Page 5

FRENCH GOVERNMENT

QUESTION OF RECOGNITION IN AUSTRALIA CONSUL-GENERAL’S VIEW. NOT ACCEPTED BY FEDERAL MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The French Consul-General in Australia, M. Tremoulet, officially stated that he represented the Petain Government, which was the only French Government, and condemned as humbugs the French citizens living in the Pacific who had declared for General de Gaulle. He explained that diplomatic relations had not been broken with the British Government or the Dominions, saying: “The mere fact that I am here in my official capacity is sufficient proof that my position is recognised by the Commonwealth Government.”

The Commonwealth Minister of External Affairs, Mr J. McEwan, replying, regretted that a reflection had been made by M. Tremoulet on the French Pacific colonies and added: “It is true that M. Tremoulet is recognised by the Commonwealth Government as Con-sul-General of France, but consular representation is by no means identical with diplomatic representation. The attitude of the United Kingdom Government is shared exactly by the Australian Government. We sympathise with .continental France in her military defeat, but applaud the courageous attitude of French colonists who are determined to fight on till victory is won.”