ELECTIONS IN CANADA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1926, Page 9

ELECTIONS IN CANADA.

UNUSUAL CAMPAIGN ENDS. FATEFUL DAY AWAITED. BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT. By Telegraph—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Ottawa, Sept. 12. With the election 48 hours off, what is probably the most unusual political campaign in the history of Canada has drawn to an end. Both sides are confident of victory, but the issues have radically ■ changed since the dissolution of Parliament and observers are unable to predict the outcome. The Conservatives (Mr. Mackenzie King) claim that they will win 130 out of • 245 eeats, and the Liberals ('Mr. Meighan claim 120, but the 15 constituencies where so-called Progressives and Fusionists were nominated, notably in Ontario and Manitoba, may decide the election. All observers, however, agree that in the event of the major parties falling to secure the requisite majority some form of coalition Government will be formed, regardless of what compromise must be resorted to in order to obviate another election. The campaign began with the question of constitutionality uppermost, as the result of Lord Byng’s refusal to dissolve Parliament upon Mr, Mackenzie King’s request, but- latterly all the old Issues which have always dominated Canadian politics eame to the fore, notably the maintenance of the Canadian National Railway and protection. It is interesting to note that Imperial questions were for the most part scrupulously avoided. Received Sept. 13, 11 p.m. . Ottawa, Sept. 13. The Federal election campaign is closed and the people await the voting to-mor-row in 244 ridings throughout the Dominion. The Premier, Mr. Meighan, and the Liberal Leader, Mr. Mackenzie King, have concluded speaking tours from coast to coast in what has been the most active eontes’t in years. Both parties hope to secure the necessary majority to ensure a stable Government. The Conservatives emphasise the need of a tariff sufficiently protective to encourage the development of the natural resources and the industrial life of the country, while the Liberals depend largely upon the benefit accruing from the Liberal rule of the past four years, the recent reductions in taxation, the returning prosperity of the country and the so-called constitutional issue to elect them to office.