CANADIAN POLITICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1611, 14 January 1903, Page 71 (Supplement)

CANADIAN POLITICS

The English papers, commenting on the “secession” (as tliey call it) of Mr larte from the Dominion Cabinet, predict the downfall of Laurier’s Government as a result of it. The Canadian press seem inclined to think this is a likely result and there is no doubt that his loss v. ill distinctly weaken the liberal party* Canadian politics have been m a rather strange condition for the past eleven years, and it may be that the split tnat has occurred will make a change tor the better. On the death of Canada’s great statesman, Sir John A. MacDonald, in 1891, a vacuum seemed to fee left in tli© ranks of the Conservatives that has never since been filled. J. J. C. Abbott succeeded him, but only for a Aveek or tivo, -hen came Sir John Thompson, who died m London shortly afterivards. Then Sir MaclCenzie' Boivell took the reins, but seemed unable to maintain any hold on the party at all. Finally, Sir Charles Tupper held office for a short time, only to be overwhelmingly defeated at the polls. It seemed as if the loss of the great leader had left the party in a beivildered condition, and the men succeeding him appeared like pigmies beside a giant. The Liberals, led by .Sir Wilfrid Laurier, greiv powerful and.- strong at the expense of the beniuddled Conservatives, and their hold on the country up to 1901 was as strong as even Sir John had held it for the Conservatives. Yet, looking over the Liberal ranks, only tAvo men stand out as even moderate leaders, and these are Sir Wilfrid and his one-time colleague Tarte. The Conservatives, on the other hand, seem incapable of producing a single man of any force of character, and politics lately have been a mere name for Liberal* policy. The old Conservatives are, however, sloAvly giving way to the younger men of Upper Provinces, and Avith a leader such as Tarte, they would very probably become quite a force again.

The Liberals, on the other hand, have developed into a body composed for the most part of very poorly gifted speakers and thinkers, and the last ten years of prosperity has AA r orked the division in their ranks that generally precedes a fall. Sir Wilfrid is a man endowed Avith great keenness, and in addition is ah eloquent orator, but he is the only, man in his party so endoAved. The Conservatives are not much better, but the struggle that aaull uoav ensue betAveen the parties Avill be much more eA r en, and is likely to bring better and stronger men of the younger generation* to the fore. At all events the next general elections Avill probably sweep aAvay a good many of the existing nonentities and clear the political atmosphere in Canada.