CANADIAN ELECTIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10138, 26 October 1925, Page 5

CANADIAN ELECTIONS

QUEBEC THE KEY POSITION. (Received Oct. 24, 5 p.m.) - OTTAWA, Oct.; 23. Less than a week before the election, it is impossible to prognosticate the result, though it is evident that had the Conservatives had a picturesque, fiery leader instead ot a rather gloomy pass onate figure, the Hon. Arthur Meighan, they would have swept the country. Premier King is no Lloyd George. Still he is the possessor of more personality than the Opposition leader. The pivoticnl factor will be the province oi Quebec. Last election Quebec returned a solid bloc of sixty-five Liberals. Even then Air. King was dependent on the good graces of the Western Progressive party to remain in power. At this election the industrial centres of Quebec arc likely to vote Conservative in order to secure tariff protection for industries hit by American products. Quebec’s rural districts are likely to remain Liberal for as long as memory lingers. It was the Conservative Government which introduced the hated conscription. However, should the Conservatives gain fifteen seats, it will be likely to turn the balance in. favor ot Air. Meighan’s party, in which event the Opposition leader would obviously be under the control of the Quebec element under Air. Pattern'ude, who lias been hailed as a sort of Cbnservative Laurier. Western observers state the farmers show, a trend to leave the Progressive- party and to vote ■ straight Liberal or Conservative. If so, nobody cap." conjecture the result in the prairie provinces. The,. main issue at the' election will undoubtedly .-be tariff.-Next; cpiiicsthe serious plight of the national railways and the burden of immigration. It cannot be said that either Mr. King or Air. Meighan show sufficient clarity for providing specific remedies, Air. Patenaude, however, is for out and out protection of British goods unexcepted throughout the the country.—A. and N.Z.C.A.