The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 18, 1926. THE CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 18, 1926. THE CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

1 HE elections in tne great iiuiiuuiun vn Caniula have resulted in the return of the Liberals by what promises to be a safe working majority. The result is not without some general satisfaction as a tribute to Liberal administration The claim of the liberals tor the support of the electors was founded on a record of over four years, in which reductions had been carried out in taxation and there had been an appreciable degree of returning prosperity. Two such solid reasons are hard to gain say and the people took the Liberals at their face value. There was also the constitutional issue which arose through the Governor-General refusing the Liberals a dissolution when defeated in Parliament. This issue, however, like matters affecting Imperial interests, was not over prominent in the campaign, according to the cabled news. Tile Canadian parliament consists of 24.5 members, and the Liberals expected to win 120 seats. According to the figures available they have won 118, leaving 127 against them, but of those 127 several are pro-Lilieral though assigned politically to other sub-groups. The Conservatives estimated to win 180 seats, but have only 85 pledged supporters. It would appear therefore Thai the Liberals will secure a good working majority and with a stable Government, the Liberals will have the opportunity to continue their good administration of the past. Political virtues do not meet always with their just reward. It lias been remarked that in most British countries of late, Liberal parties have suffered an eclipse, despite ■ the record for solid democratic government, which Liberal administrations have shown invariably. The 'Xew Zealand ease is a striking example of what happened when there was serious defection from the Liberal ranks, caused in the main by the growth of“Lnbour. In Canada it is rather notable Labour as a political entity lias not come to the front with any force, ir in consequence the Lil>erals get a very full share of the democratic vote. Canada is a country rich in opportunity, steadily coming into its own. As a Prime Minister, Mr Meighen, has been more pronouncedly Imperial than Mr Mackenzie King who will return to the high office. But there is not any reason to suspect that Canada is desirous cutting the painter so far ,as attachment to the Empire is concerned. Mr King will stand for the rights of 1 the country, but Canadian loyalty has 1 teen tested too well to be fearful of any 1 untoward consequences, Mr King os i

Prime Minister of the greatest 0 f the Dominions will be a very important figure at the Imperial Conference, and it is well he should come accredited from his people for the important work ahead. There is more likelihood of definite work being achieved by virtue of the clear cut decision of the Canadian elections. The elect ion was fought with vigour, and with the odds rather in favour of the Conservatives holding office, the victory of the Liberals is all the more creditable, and with the mandate now won, the party has authority to continue its progressive work. The legislation and administration of the Liberals in Canada will be worth studying as an index of the political vitality the party can exercise when given the opportunity. It has been the rule the more difficult the domestic position the .surer the work of the Liberals. There are other countries within the Empire where the advantage of a return to Liberal administration might be worth while, if not a necessity to retrieve the drift setting in, and on that account Canada might he regarded as an example where work can be watched as an earnest of the political genius of the Lberals to deal with domestic affairs of a highly political nature.