LAVAL AS DICTATOR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 September 1942, Page 3

LAVAL AS DICTATOR

PETAIN A MERE PUPPET. AND DARLAN A MERE SPECTATOR Laval is gathering all power into his own hands, the first step to complete dictatorship. He has appointed one of his friends to be head of the gendarmerie, which in France is part of the military Legion, the counterpart of the German S.S. corps.

These measures are accompanied by a few minor concessions to the rural and worker populations. He thoroughly understands the sly technique of dictatorship. There is to be more bread, a little more wine. Though he does not say so, there is to be a little more collaboration. How well this can be managed. Rationalisation of industry, a fine-sounding phrase. It means a lot of men thrown out of employment. No, it does not, there is work waiting for them. They can go and work in Germany. No one is forcing them to do so. they are all volunteers. Reluctant? Food coupons cannot be given to people reluctant to work, and families might suffer. Laval is dictator now. Petain a mere puppet, Darlan a mere spectator. How nice the venerable figure of the aged marshal reviewing his guard, then smiling at children. How fine to look on, the admiral with all his gold braid. Laval rubs his hands and smiles above his white tie, the sign of purity of intention.