The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-28
POLITyCS IN CANADA.
Growth OF Desire for Independence. but
Annexation No Longer Talked or.

TORONTO, Ont. Sept 26'-It Ia now gener-
ally understood that the elections for the
Dominion Parliament will come of early in
November. and the Government feels quite
confident of victory. In the opinion of those
most competent to judge, Ontario, the most
populous and wealthy Province OF the Do
minion, has become negligible quantity
for the time being, as the result will be deter
mined by the ma ority that will be given to
Sir Wilfrid Iaurier by the Province OF Quebec
and by the votes Of the Provinces Of Manitoba
and New Brunswick. where the French Cana
dian element, which is numerous and well
organized, holds the balance of power. 1t is
this fact that gives to the approaching cleo
tion the character OF n race struggle and
makes it perhaps the most important Of any
since confederation in 1867.
Here in Ontario the situation is further
complicated by the importation OF imperial
politics into Dominion affairs and by the re-
ductiOn OF the Provinces voting strength at
Ottawa through the automatic action OF the
Electoral law. which gave fixed representa-
ton 70 the Province of Quebec without regard
ton in ali the other Provinces by the rise or
fall OF their populations in relation to that Of
Quebec after s each census SUI In this way it has
tives at the coming election. which Is 80 much
TO the advantage of the Liberal party in the
other Provinces, Ontario's representation
being largely Conservative.
The causes of the loss Of population also
tend to increase the anti-Iiberal sentiment
which has been accomplished mainly with
Ontarios money. has drawn away from it
tSs Of its - to
country, and created rivals out Of its own
sons. This combination of causes has been
OF the Province. and though a section turns
its ear to questions of imperial federation,
the mass Is bordering other solutions,
the extent to which the idea Of na ai 1
with Independence to follow has progressed
" n' 81 hs
haps in a, very near future. Annexation is a
mediatsiy popular only with s the far n a
try. eggs. dairy and other products; The
70 Keep the home market for fRemssyss ana
the Professional politicians are equally against
from indfeet tsSaon and open The r waY ie
demands for the imposition Of direct taxes.
1t is not. however, considered good bust
expressed it, TO discuss independence J pub.
mind. i is looked on as an idea better left Eft TO
force it would only add 70 the esistins pt conc
fusion and there H. besides a feeling that i
change in conditions In Great Britain that that
be committed r any definite policy one way sHS
unOtntT, DuV bnOulO ma nerSelf with q
free hand when that change does come.
There Is a last point In connection with On
tario sentiment toward the Laurier admins
tration that has to be noted II Ia the extent to
which subsidies are given to railways and
other enterprises that bring no profit TO the
Province and are becoming a serious drain,
resulting In ever increasing calls on the tax
payers, especially the farmers, who form the
bulk Of the population. These are certain TO
make themselves heard in November at the
polls, and not. probably. in sense favorable
to the Iaurier Government. Fortunately for
Sir WiIfrId. he Is not ms before stated, depen-
dent on Ontario for his majority.