The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-10
DOMINION BUDGET
FAILS TO PLEASE
Opposition Aroused by Fiscal
Features in Many Parts
of Canada.
LIVING COSTS ASSAILED
Tariff, Which Is Blamed for
High Prices, Left Intact,
Say Critics.


N Otfdwd, tods an event Of command
tr9 Importance IN Canddd-aHd Of no
srdH consequence In the United Ttatcs
aud overseas. One OF It's aspects u in
eTtdbly POLITICAL while tho other Is
financial and economic. The Comedian
section Of The Sun has, therefore,
placed each Of those vieopotnts' IN the
bends o. an erpert for treatment.
ihcir illuminating ond Conclusive
onoIyscs are 0iren belo,o.
AS A POLITICAL PROPOSITION.
Written especially for the Canadian
Section Of THE Sun,
OTTAWA, June 9.-The Governments
long-awaited budget. which made a be-
lated appearance last week. broke little
new political or economic ground, and
Its reception by both Parliament and
tbs country has been pretty much as
predicted. Confronted by financial re-
orirements prohibiting action likely to
decrease revenue, the Finance Minister
had TO content himself with modest tar
IN reductions and an increase in the
income tax. undoubtedly hoping thereby
TO hold the bulk of low tariff advocates
IN the west without unduly antagonizing
manufacturers in the East.
skiliful as was his effort, however,
and despite the strong economic arsu
ments by which IL stands fortified. II
appears destined to fall considerably
short Of achieving its aim. Already Mr..
Crerar, Minister OF Agriculture and one
OF the leaders OF Western Unionists, has
resigned from the Cabinet, a dozen or
more private Government supporters are
certain TO follow his lead and Western
farmers OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES both
economically and politically-are practi-
caily unit In denouncing the proposals
as purely protectionist, designed in the
interests of the manufacturers OF the
East
Nor is the opposition to the fiscal fea-
lures of the budget confined to the
west In Ontario, influential news
papers like the Toronto GIobe-which,
although Liberal. have been support
ing the Union Government-are assail-
Ing the proposals with vigor. declaring
that no step has been taken toward a
reduction in the cost Of living, and that
he tariff, which they blame for high
prices, has been practically left IN
tact
A New Political Group.
There are many who see in this in
surrection of Cnionists against the Union
Government an entirely new orieptation
OF political parties along economic lines.
go NSStcEH NfCt TaulCal EfOuD
taking Its place in Parliament and hold
ing strictly aloof from both OF the old
historic parties. The resignation of Mr.
Crerar. declared to be the first stem to-
ward such a development, is unquestion-
ably strong blow at the solidarity OF
Cnionism. As president OF the Grain
Growers Grain Company, a cooperat tive
organization strongly entrenched eco
nomirally. and powerful politically, Mr.
Crsrhr was one Of the strongest pillars
or the Government in the West. and his
retirement withdraws from its support
a politico economic movement whose
backing has come TO be almost essential
70 the success of a political party in the
provinces beyond the Great Lakes.
\ strong administrator and a man of
Keen business training, Crerar is a
strange compound of practical ideallst,
LIBERAL In the strongest sense of the
word. He was one of those who a few
years ago helped TO draft and enunciate
the platform of the Canadian Council Of
Agriculture Gan amalg amation of farm
ers crsanizations). which is one of the
most radical platforms ever put forward
IN the Dominion, calling for free trade
with Great Britain, freedom of taxation
for all foodstuffs and essential produc-
tive supplies; taxation OF land values
and publicity, OF political campaign
fund contributions.
Adhering to this programme and con-
WINGED AFTER two years experience in
the cabinet that IL can be applied, with
nominations, TO present Dominion con-
ultions, Crerar row takes his seat on
what are known as the cross benches in
the Commons. and there, with a dozen
independent followers. already character
ized as Free Liberals, he proposes 10
apply constructive criticism to the poll
cles OF both Government and Opposite
II Is an entirely unprecedented de-
parture in Dominion politics, but as al
ready said, there are those who see in
II the beginning OF Western Radical
group which, allied with Eastern labor,
aims to WELD future predomipating in
terest in Canadian political life.
The Government safe.
For the present. however. the life OF
the Government Is safe. For, however
much many OF its supporters may dis
like the budget (it is as distasteful TO
extreme high projections as to free
traders) they are not prepared to carry
their opposition TO the point OF compel
Inns a general election--something which,
most responsible observers agree, would
De detrimental to the national interest
at the present time, 1t Ia therefore
reasonably certain that Sir Robert Bor-
den will be carried along by the force of
circumstances and that amendments
to the budget proposals. whether moved
by the opposition or by Instruction
lists In his own party. will be rejected by
substantial majority,
Meanwhile the Prime Minister Is
faced with the task OF finding a sue
cessor for Mr.. Crerar 10 administer the
Department OF Agriculture. 1t 10 not at
all unlikely that he will make the o.
caston an opportunity for q general
shuttle Of the Ministry, replacing Sir
George Foster as Minister OF Trade and
Commerce, Mr.. Doherty as Minister of
Justice, Mr.. Burreli as Secretary OF
state and Mr. BlondIn az Postnaster-