ONTARIO ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 7 June 1945, Page 5

ONTARIO ELECTION

HEAVY LOSSES BY SOCIALISTS Ottawa, June 5 The Socialist Party, Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, former?:/ the second largest party in the Ontario Assembly, dropped to third place with only six representatives as a result of Monday’s election, says the Ottawa correspondent of the ’ New York Times.” The defeat is so complete that it is doubtful whether the C.C.F. can claim any longer to rank as a national party. The Liberal Party, which has 10 seats compared with 16 previously, will now rank as the official Opposition. There are still four doubtful scats and 125.000 soldier votes are not yet counted, which may change some results, but tlie Progressive Conservative Party is assured of 60 of the Legislature’s total pf 90 seats. Lieutent-Coloncl Drew, the Premier, who governed for two years with a minority vote, will now have complete mastery The result is interpreted by some as indicating that public opinion has swung away from socialistic theories and returned to a preference for the two-party sj f stem. Three libel actions may result from the election. The Premier#has issued a writ seeking 100.000 dollars’ damages from the Toronto “Star” and 10 C.C.F. candidates have announced their intention of bringing libel suits against Lieutenant-Colonel Drew. The Canadian Prime Minister. Mr Mackenzie King, in an address in continuance of the Federal election, at St. John, New Brunswick, voiced deep concern about what lies ahead in consequence of the appalling condition of hate, unrest and distrust left by the war. “This war has been a great social revolution.” he said. “Great wealth and severe poverty will not be tolerated in the years ahead. The great national resources which God has given to all ihe people are not going to be controlled by the privileged few, while great multitudes walk the streets in search of employment." The Prime Minister claimed that no country had done as much as Canada to give help and justice to its servicemen.