The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-03

:
holidays, and during the recess the
government has promised to consider
the flood of memorials and demands
regarding the revisions of the tariff
that have been pouring in for the last
fortnight The minister of finance in
timated to the last deputation that
under no circumstances would the
government be prepared to make any
radical changes this year in the tar
if, as announced a few weeks ago.
When parliament reassembles the
first measure to be taken up will be
a bill for the reform Of the dominion
elections act. Among other things
this bill which is government meas
ure, contains the radical provision that
any qualified voter who neglects,
without good excuse, to exercise the
franchise at parliamentary eection,
shall be disqualified from voting for
six years thereafter. Legislation in
this direction has been recommended
by two special committees of the
house in recent years.
The new measure will provide Sc
tempts to vote after being disqualified.
In cases of illness, or for other suf-
ficient cause, the voter saves his right
by applying to the local judge and
stating the circumstances which pre-
vent his attendance at the polls.
1t is believed that the new act will
bring to Canadians a truer apprecia-
ton of the responsibilities of citizen
ship and meet the case of the man
who hangs around the poll on voting
day waiting for a s. bill before depos-
iting his ballot.
Growing Democracy of Canada.
Anyone who has had occasion to
study the course of legislation in the
Canadian parliament the last few
years must have been struck by the
rapidity which once marked its de-
alterations is being cast aside in favor
of democratic, and, what some people
would describe as very radical meas
ures. The whole point of view of par
lament is in a state of evolution. Year
by year the interests of the masses, as
distinguished from the classes, come
more prominently into view.
The extent to which the Canadian
farmer has gained the ear of parlia-
ment has already been described. The
same is equally true of the Canadian
workingman. One of the signs of the
times is the bill introduced this
session by the minister of labor for
compulsory inquiry In strikes and
lockouts in csa mines, gas and electri-
cal supply works, telegraphs, tele
phones, street railways and other pub
lie utilities. Time was when every
measure of reform of this nature was
met with the cry that it would inter-
fere with vested interests" Today
it is recognized that the interests of
the whole people must be kept para
mount to vested and all other inter-
ests.
The same spirit is manifested in re-
cent railway legislation, the proposed
revision of the insurance laws, govern
ment control of trusts, and in many
other directions. Through it's organ
iuaI ofat in, N.aylia
ganized labor has made it clear that it
is heartily in favor of the principle in
vOlved in such measures. Sir Wilfrid
Laurier is still opposed to compulsory
arbitration, but is convinced that
compulsory investigation of disputes
between capital and labor would ex-
ercise moral force which in prac
tice would be effective, and would
have a distinct tendency to safeguard
the interests of the public as against
the interests of any particular section
of the public.
Hudson Bay Looming Large.
One of the striking incidents of
Canadian development is the growing
faith in the possibilities of the Hud-
son Bay route as a commercial high
way from western Canada to Europe.
Only few years ago the man who adj
vocated this route was laughed at as
an impracticable dreamer Today the
project has the support of many of
the ablest and most competent men
of the country. The scientists have
pronounced the route theoretically
practicable. Experienced business men
are now convinced that it is CONNER
cially practicable.
AT recent banquet in Toronto Mr..
Mackenzie of the Canadian Northern
railway expressed his settled belief
in the feasibility of the Hudson Bay
route, and the determination of his
company to push its road to the bay
as speedily as possible. The first sec
ton, from Winnipeg to Erwood, east
of Prince Albert, is aready completed, !
and next year he expects to complete