CANADA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1917, Page 5

CANADA.

THE ELECTIONS. INTEREST INTEREST DISPLAYED. Ottawa, Dec. 17. Thera was a record poll at the elections to-day, and intense interest was lisplayed. Sir Robert Borden lias received from Vl*. Hughes, Australian Premier, a mesiage hoping for the triumphant return >f the Union Government in" order that Canada may put forth her full strength lb the mighty struggle between liberty Mid despotism. Eighteen. Liberals have been re-elected ■nopposed. The 'total House numbers >35. The Hshfax and Yukon elections are lelayed and the final results will not be known until the soldiers' votes at the Iront are received. UNIONIST VICTORY ASSURED. Ottawa, Dec. 17. A Unionist victory is probable. Mr. Mowbura, Minister of Militia, and Sir WilfrfA Laurier have been elected. Ottawa, Dec. 17. A Unionist victory is certain. UNIONIST MAJORITY ELECTED. Reuter Service. Received Dec. 19, 12.50 a.m. Ottawa, Dec. 18. The Conscription Unionists won every province except Quebec. They have a majority of-60. SIR R. BORDEN'S APPEAL. "SUPPORT OR DESERTION." London, Nov. 15. Renter's correspondent at Halifax (Nova Scotia) telegraphs:— •In opening the Government's election campaign, the Premier, Sir Robert Borden, said that the . only alternative to conscription was to leave the Canadian divisiona l]! France without support, and without reinforcements. His heart and conscience would not permit him for a moment to endure the thought of the latter alternative. Thus the circumstances imposed upon him the stern duty of providing reinforcements by means of the selective draft under compulsory provisions. The need for reinforcements was imperative in view of the events in Russia and Italy. Never was there

greater necessity to summon their stern- ' est resolve and gird on their fullest strength. A referendum would have caused too great a delay, perhaps a rear. Sir Bobert Borden concluded:—"The soil of France and Belgium is hallowed by the graves of our. dead. If the task to which these men consecrated their lives is the last sacrifice remains unaccomplished, shall we not stand silent, ashamed, and humiliated before those who return? Not only from the living, but from the fallen also comes to Canada their beloved benign mother, a call for aid. Their appeal tells you more eloquently than any words of mine that there is at present 3wt one supreme issue before the Canadian people—shall Canada's efforts in the war be maintained or withdrawn? Shall the Canadian army *t tie front be supported or deserted? "Tk# responsibility rests upon each of you men and women. I pray "tt may be w fulfilled as to justify the sacrifice and •he bravery voluntarily endured on many t battlefield in Prance and Belgium by those whom Canada salt forth in this twful struggle against the most relentess and most brutal, and most powerful nilitarism that ever threatened to bring Hie world within the orbit of its accursed granny."