ELECTION IN CANADA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28551, 2 April 1958, Page 13

ELECTION IN CANADA

Huge Conservative Majority (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) OTTAWA, April 1. • The Progressive Conservative Party led by the Prime Minister, Mr John Diefenbaker, won the most decisive Federal Election victory in Canadian history yesterday. It swept into control of the Canadian House of Commons by a landslide majority which amaaed even its most confident supporters. Early today, with only the results of one seat in doubt, the Progressive Conservatives were assured of at least 209 seats in the 265-strong House. The Liberals had 47 seats and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation eight The Social Credit Party, which fielded 82 candidates, was eliminated.

In a nation-wide television broadcast last night. Mr Diefenbaker told Canadians: “We will keep your faith and carry out our pledges and give good government.” Mr Diefenbaker spoke clearly but at times appeared almost overwhelmed by the Conservative victory. At one point, he held his head in his left hand. He spoke in English and French. In French, he said he was "touched” by the confidence shown by Quebec voters and that a new page in Canadian history would be written. The Prime Minister said he was not speaking in any spirit of boastfulness but with humility. Earlier, the Prime Minister had issued a statement in which fte said he would call Parliament into session as soon as possible to begin tackling the unemployment problem in Canada. The Works Minister in the old Cabinet, Mr Howard Green, said this would probably be about the middle of May. Mr Diefenbaker’s statement said: "At such a time as this it is difficult to say more than our heartfelt thanks for this expression of the confidence and trust of the people of Canada. Conceded Early The Liberal Party’s leader, Mr Lester Pearson, a former Canadian External Affairs Minister and winner of a Nobel Peace prize last year, conceded the election early, about two hours after voting closed. He sent a congratulatory telegram to Mr Diefenbaker and issued a statement in which he

said: “It is well that one party now has the power, as well as the responsibility, in the House of Commons.” The leaders of both the C.C.F. and the Social Credit Party lost their seats. The C.C.F. leader, Mr M. J. Coldwell, had held his seat since 1935. He was defeated by a Progressive Conservative, Mr C. O. Cooper, a 50-year-old farmer standing for the first time. Mr Coldwell commented: "This ends my work in the House of Commons—work to which I have given the best years of my life.” The Social Credit Party leader, Mr Solon Low said: “We lost our members of Parliament but our movement is not destroyed. We are going to reorganise to be in the position to come back.” Quebec Defeats The most stunning defeat for the Liberals came in Frenchspeaking Quebec province, long a Liberal stronghold. It appeared that the Conservatives would take more than half of Quebec's seats. When Mr Diefenbaker swept the Liberals out of power last June and ended their 22-year rule in Ottawa, he won only 9 seats in Quebec while the Liberals took 64. The Conservatives also scored a smashing victory in Ontario. Equally impressive gains were reported from the western pro-