CANADIAN CABINET

Southland Times, Issue 22464, 29 October 1934, Page 4

CANADIAN CABINET

A DRAMATIC SESSION. MR STEVENS IN DISFAVOUR. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Ottawa, October 26. The fate of the Hon. H. H. Stevens as Minister of Trade hung in the balance to-day following a dramatic Cabinet session during which his colleagues delivered an ultimatum that either he must explain his attacks on business as chairman of the Government price spread inquiry or quit the Commission. The Minister’s publication of a pamphlet commenting on the evidence before the inquiry closed was strongly resented. The Premier promptly banned the pamphlet. At the resumption of the Cabinet session to-day Mr Stevens was absent. MINISTER RESIGNS CRISIS PRECIPITATED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Ottawa, October 27. The Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Hon. H H. Stevens, to-day announced his resignation from the Canadian Cabinet following differences of opinion in Cabinet over Mr Stevens’ action in connection with mass buying and price-spreading investigation- . . Mr Stevens’ resignation precipitated a Cabinet crisis which may lead to a dissolution and an imminent election. Following a conference with the Gov-ernor-General after a secret Cabinet session, the Premier refused to make a statement. Cabinet twice assembled and twice dispersed without a statement. Mr Mackenzie King is touring Europe and the Liberals expect he will return at once.

Manitoba retail merchants have telegraphed Mr Bennett urging that Mr Stevens’ resignation be not accepted and urge an even further investigation of departmental chain stores.