CANADIAN ELECTIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 31 October 1925, Page 7

CANADIAN ELECTIONS

LIBERAL LANDSLIDE.

POSITION STILL IN DOUBT STATE OF THE PARTIES. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received Oct. 31, 11.20 a.m. OTTAWA, Oct. 30. With 14 seats still unheard from this morning, returns show the following position:— Conservatives ........... 120 Liberals 01 Progressives 17 Labour 2 Independents 1 .From out of the wreckage caused by yesterday’s political hurricane, the following points are conspicuous:— (1) The seeming inadequacy of the Conservative majority to permit its protection policy being properly put into operation at this stage. (2) The probability of something approaching a Parliamentary stalemate. (3) A strong probability of another election shortly, in order to afford an opportunity for a more decisive man date. It is considered certain that Mr. Meighen, if he succeeds in forming a Ministry, will carry on at least for one session, before going to the country. New possibilities developed, however, to-day when the Prime Minister (Mr. McKenzie King) denied that he had decided to resign, stating that he was awaiting final returns before discussing the matter with the Governor-General. Liberal organisers declare that Mr. Meighen cannot overcome the combined oppositions, and that Mr. King can meet Parliament and challenge a vote of confidence on the issue of high protection. On Such a vote the Liberals say that all mefjibcrs of the House are not definitely aligned with Mr. Meighen and will vote with the Government.

Mr. Meighen declines to make a statement until the official returns are com-plete.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OTTAWA, Oct. 29. While the western returns are late, the majority of Canadians went to bed fairly certain that the country will have a Conservative Government in the next Parliament, even though its majority' is so slender that only expert leadership will enable it to carry on. Startling in its/ wholesaleness was the downfall of the Premier (Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King) in his own eonsituency, and the defeat of at least nine of his Ministers, including Mr. Massey (Minister without portfolio). Mr. G P. Graham (Minister for Railways), Mr. Foster (Secretary for State), Mr. Gordon (Minister for Immigration), Mr. T. A. Low. (Minister for Trade and Commerce), Mr. Marie r (Minister without portfolio), Mr. C. Stewart (Minister for the Interior), Mr. J. Murdock (Minister for Labour). Beaten, too, was the independent movement of Mr. Patenaude in Quebec, where the leader was defeated in his own constituency. The Conservatives gained three seats in Montreal, one being a rural seat, but the Liberals conceded sixty-one seats in Quebec. EVen the prairie provinces, which were expected to vote. Liberal, or, if not, Progressive, returned a surprising number of Conservatives, including the leader, Mr. Meighen, whose defeat in his own constituency was not unanticipated. As l a matter of fact his defeat Ava 9 announced, hut the tail-end polls ensured his election. The provinces of Nova Scotia. New Brunswick, and Ontario went almost solidly Conservative. It amounted to a landslide in Ontario. The Liberals retained an almost solid hold in Quebec, which Avent traditionally Lateral. POSITION UNCERTAIN NO PARTY WITH A MAJORITY.

MONTREAL, Oct. 30. •Mr. Meighen will head the largest group in the next House of Commons, but the returns' available early on Friday do not give any party a clear majority over all. There are 245 seats, and the unofficial standing is as follows: Conservatives 118 Libera,ls 97 Progressives . 20 Independents 2 Labour 2 Doubtful 6 It is estimated that the Conservatives will secure a total of at least 120 seats. If the final official figures show that Conservatives hold 13-5 seats, it is possible that Mr. Meighen will be able to govern fairly comfortably. His party is by far the largest individually. Even with the smallest number he is likely to form a Government, as several Progressives undoubtedly can be persuaded to fall in. with the Conservatives. The showing of the Conservatives is due to the general unrest, business depression, and anxiety over the exodus of Canadians to the United States, and may be taken as an expression of the country’s desire to try a protective tariff. Were Mr. Meighen to capture each of the six doubtful seats he would have a' bare majority of one when the -Speaker is chosen. It is uncertain whether Mr. King will resign or whether he will endeavour to continue in office with the assistance of Progressives and Independents. Already there is talk of another election.