CANADIAN POLITICS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 90, 19 May 1916, Page 2

CANADIAN POLITICS.

SIR W. LAURIER & THE LIBERALS. OTTAWA, May 16. Arising out of a dispute over the teaching of French in the Ontario schools, Sir Wilfrid Laurier has resigned the leadership of the Liberal Party, which was divided upon the issue, the Western Liberals objecting to bilingualism in Canada. It is not anticipated, however, that Sir Wilfrid Laurier will bo allowed to retire from the party. Tho early retirement of Sir Wilfrid Laurier from the leadership of the Liberal Party and public life is being widely predicted in the Canadian press i'statod the Ottawa correspondent of the '.New York Sun' not long ago). Sir Wilfrid's advanced age—he is entering his 7-sth year—his recent illness and the strong insistence of Lady Laurier that her husband be permitted to spend his remaining years free fromtho turmoil of politics are advanced as reasons for his decision to retire from active Parliamentary leadership. It is understood* that Sir Wilfrid's retirement was the subject of a conference of Liberal leaders in Ottawa. ExCabinet Ministers, colleagues of Sir Wilfrid since 1896, but who are still active in the .party and younger workers, are bringing strong pressure to bear upon the veteran statesman to continue at the head of Liberalism until after the next Parliamentary election. They are confident that his prestige will lead the party back to office, but those in a position to know assert that nothing will be permitted to stand in the way of Sir Wilfrid's desire to retire. Sir Wilfrid's withdrawal from politics will remove a picturesque figure from. Canadian public life. For nearly half a century he has been constantly before the public, and in recent years has stood almost alone in his hold upon the imagination of the Canadian people. In 1871 he was a member of the Quebec Legislature. Three years later he entered Federal politics, and as early a« 18-77 he was one of the most influential members of the Mackenzie Cabinet. In 1887 he was chosen to lead the Libera] Party and has done so unbrokenly and with brilliancy ever since. In 1896 his party came into power and remained in office until defeated on the issue of reciprocity with tho United States in 1911. Despite tho overwhelming defeat sustained at the polls Sir «iltrid retained an almost intense popularity with the people. His retirement will leave tho Liberals without a strong leader. Among Sir \v i Ifrid's ablest lieutenants there is not a figure measuring up to the standards set | by him during the past 20 veare. Sonio of them have marked ability. Some are widely respected. Nearly all are politically capable. None can >be called a riationa] figure. The name mostly mentioned to .succeed to the party leadership is Mr Newton Wesley 'Rowell, leader of the Liberal Opposition in the Ontario Legislature. He is an able lawyer, sincere, highly respected, but without much political exnerience. It is said thai Sir Wilfrid will remain at the head of the party until the .beginning of the coming Parliamentary session, when an agreement will be effected whereby the life of the present Parliament will be extended until after the war. He will then give up the r«in& of leadership and retire to his old home at ArthabasWille, Que., to spend tho rest of his days ainoog his (hooks *ad writing his political reminjsccnc.es,