29 DECEMBER 1923, Page 2

In the division on the bonus question the Government was

defeated by the large majority of 131. M. Poincare did not treat the vote as a refusal of confidence, but it is none the less a sign, for it is notorious that M. Poincare in his absorption in the Ruhr and the Rhineland has neglected domestic affairs. Last Saturday the Govern- ment gained substantial majorities, after it had promised a general revision of Civil Service salaries before the end of 192-1 and certain immediate allowances to officials with families and to those who live in the most highly- rented districts.