Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JULY 26th., 1930. CANADIAN ELECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1930, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JULY 26th., 1930. CANADIAN ELECTIONS

pOLLING in the Canadian general elections will take place on Monday, and owing to the controversy in connection with the trade treaties between Canada and Australia arid New Zealand, more interest than usual will be taimen in the result. Probably, whether Conservatives or Liberals win, satisfactory treaties will be negotiated, but during the election campaign, the Conservatives have, professed to be adverse from the present agreement, although upholding the principle of encouraging inter-Empire trade. There is no doubt that owing to seasonal differences, there is scope for the development of trade between New Zealand and Australia. with the northern Dominion. Hitherto, the balance of such commerce has been in favouf of Canada, and negotiations are to be made to increase Canadian purchases.

The previous general election in , Canada took place in September 1926 when the Liberals won, obtaining 118 seats to the Conservatives’ 91. There were 36 other members elected, and the majority of these supported the Liberals. Both the principal opponents in the present struggle claim to be confident, the Opposition mainly relying on the dissatisfaction thioughout the country on account of unemployment. Canada, like most countries, has been affected adversely by trade depression, and it is human nature to blame the Government. The other chief issue is in connection with the tariffs? the Co iservat.ives being strongly Protectionist, denouncing the Liberal Government for not responding >n more drastic fashion to the U.S.A, revised tariff schedules. 'Mr. Bennett, the Conservative leader, is working the pro-Canadian sentiment for all it is worth, using such appeal not only against the U.S.A, but also in a lesser degree against Australia and New Zealand. The Liberal. Government goes to the country on three main issues: its record, the Dunning Budget, and the representation of Canada at the next Imperial Conference. The party, in the words of the Prime Minister, Air. Dlackenzie King, stands for a policy which will benefit Canadian consumers, foster Imperial trade, and vitally aid in maintaining a. .British market loi Canadian wheat.

Canada has had. an unfortunate experience, recently with her wheal deals. Having a large surplus stock last year, the wheal, pool believed it. could force, the British grain importers to pay Canada’s price. Britain, however, turned to the Argentine, getting all her wheal, requiiements met there. Canada s wheat therefore could not find a. maiket, and considerable losses were incurred. The experience has taught Canadian farmers that inter-Em-pire trade cannot be one-sided, and, to-day, there is a general desire to extend trade with Britain, on a more reciprocal basis. The question of Canada’s loyalty to the Empire need, not be raised. Of that allegiance there can. be no doubt,

whether Conservatives or Liberals win. On the whole, the Liberal Government has made good, and although it may not command success, its record deserves a renewal oC confidence from the electors.