CANADA REJECTS LIBERALS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12283, 31 October 1925, Page 5

CANADA REJECTS LIBERALS

PRIME MINISTER AND NINE OF CABINET DEFEATED CONSERVATIVES STRONGEST NO PARTY HAS A MAJORITY; ANOTHER ELECTION POSSIBLE Canada may have a Conservative Government when Vatflament reassembles. The Liberals, who held office with the support of the Progressives, have been overwhelmingly defeated. The Prime Minister and nine of his Cabinet lost their seats. The Conservatives, although the strongest party, have not a working majority, and another election it possible.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 30, 7.55 p.m.) OTTAWA, October 29.

While the Western returns were 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 will be so slender that only- expert leadership will enable it to carry on. A startling feature in the wholesale defeat of the Liberals was the downfall of the Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King in his own constituency and the defeat of at least nine of his Ministers, including Mr Massey, Minister without portfolio; Mr G. P. Graham, Minister of Railways; Sir George Foster, Secretary of State; Mr Gordon, Minister of Immigration; Mr Lowe, Minister of Trade and Commerce; Mr Marler, Minister without portfolio; Mr Stewart, Minister of the Interior; and Mr James Murdock, Minister of Labour. , Beaten, too, was the independent movement of Mr Patenaude in Quebec, where its leader was defeated in his own constituency. The Conservatives gained three seats in Montreal, and one rural seat, but the Liberals were conceded 61 seats in Quebec. Only the fact that Quebec, according to traditional, voted Liberal, saved the Prime Minister from a devastating defeat. Even-the prairie province's, which were expected to vote Liberal, if not Progressive, returned a surprising number of Conservatives, including the leader, Mf Arthur Meighen, whose defeat in his own constituency was not unexpected. The provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario went almost solidly Conservative. It is estimated that the Conservatives will secure at least 120 seats out of the 245. If they can take 135 it is possible Mr Meighen will be able to govern fairly comfortably, as his party is by far the largest individually, but even with the smallest number -he is likely to form a Government, as several Progressives un-

doubtedly can be persuaded to fall in with the Conservatives. The Conservatives’ advance is due to the general unrest, business depression, and anxiety over the exodus of Canadians to the United States, and it may be taken as indicating the country’s desire to try a protective tariff. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received October 30, 10.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, October 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. Unofficially, tha state of the parties is:— Copservatives H 8 Liberals 97 Progressives 20 Independents 2 Labour 2 Doubtful 6 Mr Meighen, who was believed to have been defeated, was saved by later polls. Later. Were Mr Meighen to capture each of the six doubtful seats, he Would have a bare majority of one when the Speaker bad been choseh. It is uncertain whether Mr Mackenzie King will resign, or whether he will endeavour to continue in office, with the assistance of the Progressives and the Independents. Already there is talk of another election. The Liberals’ reverse was not unexexpected after the overwhelming defeat of the Liberal Party in the provincial elections in Nova Scotia last June. Nova Scotia is a traditional Liberal stronghold, and the capture by the Conservatives of 40 out of 43 seats was nothing short of a political revolution, for the Liberals had held power for 42 years without interruption. Most of the factors—high taxation, economic stagnation, and the effects of the southward emigration—which generated unpopularity for the Government of Nova Scotia operated in the Federal field.