A CLOUDED ISSUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19438, 26 October 1925, Page 7

A CLOUDED ISSUE

CANADIAN ELECTIONS INDICATIONS FAVOUR CONSERVATIVES QUEBEC TO BE DECIDING FACTOR By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright Received October 25, 5.5 p.m. OTTAWA, Oct. 23. Less than a week before election, it is impossible to prognosticate the result. though it is evident that had the Conservatives had a picturesque fiery leader, instead of a rather gloomy, pessimistic figure, the Hon. Arthur Meighen, they would have swept the country. Premier Mackenzie King is no Lloyd George. Still he is the possessor of more personality than the Opposition leader. The pivotal factor will be the province of Quebec. Last election Quebec returned a solid bloc of sixty-fivo Liberals. Even then Mr King was dei pendent on the good graces of the Western Progressive Party to remain in power. At this election industrial centres of Quebec are likely to vote Conservative in order to secure tariff protection for industries hit by American products. Quebec’s rural districts are likely to remain Liberal for it was a Conservative Governmeut which introduced the hated conscription. However, should the Conservatives gain fifteen seats it will be likely to turn the balance in favour of Mr Meighen’s party, in which event the Opposition leader would obviously be under the control of the Quebec element, under Mr Patenaude, who has been hailed as a sort of Conservative Laurier. Western observers state that farmers show a tendency to leave the Progressive Party to vote straight Liberal or Conservative. If so, nobody can conjecture the result. The prairie provinces’ main issue at the election will undoubtedly be tariff. Next comes the serious plight of the National railways and the burden of immigration. It cannot be said that either Mr King or Mr Meighen show sufficient clarity in providing specific remedies. Mr I’atenaude, however, is for out-and-out protection of British goods without exception throughout the countrv. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.