THE CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

Mataura Ensign, 28 October 1908, Page 3

THE CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

* RETUBN 0"F SIR W. LAURIER'S GOVERNMENT. A SERIOUS ALLEGATION. *Y ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT. PER OKETED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received October 28, 8.3 a.m. , OTTAWA, Oct. 27. The election returns', though incomplete, show that Sir Wilfrid Laurier's Government has been returned with a decreased following. . On the eve of the election. Mr Murphy, the new Secretary of State, issued an order that the employees in the Government Printing Bureau should hereafter be granted a fortnight's holiday annually. The Conservatives are incensed at this action, and accuse Mr Murphy of unblushing bribery. Received October 28, 8.32 a.m.

LONDON, Oct. 27. ' neuter's Ottawa correspondent re- ' ports that Sir \>. Laurier will have a majority of 50 instead of the previous majority of 66. Sir W. Laurier and Sir F. W*. Borden (Leader of the Opposition) were each elected for two seats. [From 1867 to 1896, with the exception of five years during which a Liberal Ministry under Mr Mackenzie was in power, the Conservatives under Sir John Macdonald and his successors held office continuously. In 1896 the Liberals were returned to power, the final result of the election being 118 Liberals, 86 Conservatives, and 8 IndeKndents. In 1900 and 1904 Sir W. lUrier was returned with an increased majority. Ontario always returns a majority of Conservatives, but Quebec and tho other provinces give the Liberals QTerwhehning support.]