The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-26
TASK OF LIBERAL PARTY.
COMING SESSION OF DOMINION PAR
LAMENT IMPORTANT.
Adjustment of Labor Troubles ana
Aiding I'm Consolidation of the
Empire Part of the Work Before
It-Aims of Government Outlined.

OTTAWA, Dec. 25.--The first session or
the new Dominion parliament, when mas
been summoned for the 9Th Of February
next, promises to be a comparatively
short one. Although the peculiar feature
about the return to power of the Liperai
ministry, under Sir Wfifrid Laurier, lies
in the fact that 1t will meet parliament
after an election campaign I'm which 1t
has not been called upon to lay down,
in more than general terms. its future line
of policy the coming session. neverthe-
less. win probably be an important one
in many respects.
Two matters, in particular. will occupy
a large share of the governments atteh-
ton in the new parliament, viz: Canada 8
future association with imperial interests,
and the great labor problem. With both
of these subjects the prosperity of the
Dominion seems now to be largely bound
UP. Sir Richard Cartwright. the minister
OF trade and commerce, foreshadows the
Intentions of the government TO deal
with these great questions, the one affect
ing the consolidation of the empire ana
the other aiming at tho removal OF those
class discords in Canada which are deep
ly sgitating society in other countries
I'VE viii have the task" said Sir Rich
ard, ''of aiding in the probable recon-
struction OF the empire. Canada must be
an important factor in any project OF
that kind proposed by the British people.
On the craftsmanship and foresight OF
those in Canada, entrusted In the next
parliament with it's government. the sue
cess OF the experiment largely depends
Then, internally, note signs of probably
the greatest Industrial development we
ever saw, and that development Will have
lis dangers as well as its advantages.
The task before the Liberal party. and
for which the premier Is emnently fitted,
is that of reconciling the 1arring interests
which arise in industrial DEVELOPMENT,
and j would fam see my country free
from the troubles current in other lands"
Although given in general terms only.
much is portended by this announcement
of government policy in respect to the
protection of the country against labor
troubles. trusts and the whole train stf
economic distresses which harass other
countries. and the task IL to be under
taken, not SO much by legislative means
as by promoting the opportunities for
cancellation between the classes.
Aims OF the Governments.
The government will aim to protect
the nation against capitalistic combina-
tons, by refusing large franchises: rail-
ment control. the largest of these over
shadowing corporations already exercis-
ing dangerous and burdensome powers
over the country; efforts will probably be
Drocfty with the United States. which
means an increase in the prosperity of
all classes in Canada, and there will be
increased activity in departmental adj
ministration to advance the interests Of
the country by measures calculated to
populate the Dominion and 10 expand it's
trade and commerce.
There are also strong indications that,
at the coming session OF parliament. the
government Will propose a still larger
reduction in the tariff on importations
of British goods. Owing to the contius
ued increase In the trade of Canada and
the unprecedented buoyancy of the reve-
nues, 1t Is considered that the govern
ment would be justified In raising the
British preferential from q 1-3 per cent.
to at least 80 per cent. Laurier has re-
ceived all Overwhelming mandate from
the country in favor of his preferential
policy. The people have, likewise, con-
demred the Conservative proposal to de-
mand quid pro quo from Great Britain,
and therefore the likelihood of a larger
EXPANSION OF the preference to Britain
is regarded I'm political circles here as be-
ing one Of the principal announcements
In. the next Canadian budget.