CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 October 1925, Page 4

CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

POLLING THIS WEEK. I, RESULT DIFFICULT TO FORECAST. BY CABLE—PIiESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT. OTTAWA, Oet. 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 of a rather gloomy, pessimistic figure in tlie Hon. Arthur Meighan, they would have swept th© country. The Premier, Mr W. Mackenzie King, is no Lloyd George. Still, lie is the possessor of more, personality than tlie Opposiiton leader. , The pivotal factor will be the province of Quebec. At the last election Quebec returned a solid bloc of sixtyfive Liberals. Even then Mr King was dependent on the good' graces of the Western Progressive Party to remain in power. At this election the industrial centres of Quebec are likely to vote Conservative in order ,to secure tariff protection for industries bit by American product's. Quebec’s rural districts are likely to remain Liberal for the long memory lingers that it was a Conservative Government which introduced the hated conscription. However, should the Conservatives gain fifteen seats it will be likely to turn! the balance in favour of Mr Meighan’s party, in which event the Opposition leader would obviously be under tbe control of the Quebec element under Mr Patenaude, who has been hailed as a sort of Conservative Laurier. (Western observers state that farmers show a, trend to leave the. Progressive Party to vote straignt Liberal or Conservative. If so nobody can conjecture .• the result in the prairie provinces.

The main issue at the election will, undoubtedly be the tariff. Next come,,L/ the serious plight of the national rail-. A ways and, the burden of immigration. It cannot be said that either Mr King or Mr Meighan show sufficient clarity in providing specific remedies. Mr Patenaude, however -is for out and out protection, British goods unexcepted, throughout the- country.