The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-16

CANADA LIBERALS
PLAN Big MEETING
Liquor Interests Looking to
Dewart for Help, Says
Rowell.
PARTY STILL AT ODDS
Convention Open to All and
Fear Of Premature Ac-
ton Felt.
PARTY STILL AT ODDS
~ stag Correspondent Of TIE sus.

provinces all Indicate activity IN Selec-
tion of delegates and a large attendance
at the National Liberal convention in
this city on August ST.. 1t is becoming
quite clear that the reunion of Liberals.
war. will not be effected by the coming
convention. The meeting has been called
by one section of the patty. the stand pat
element, that was loyal to the old chief
tain In his opposition to CONSUMPTION.
There will I've some Liberal Unionists at
the big gathering. but not many.
Hon. N. w. Rowell. formerly provincial
LIBERAL leader in Ontario, privy council
in the Federal Government. Is out In
letter to his constituents. The illiberal
and intolerant attitude of one section Of
the party has changed the whole situa-
ton and made cooperation impossible,
he. says The organised liquor traffic
now look on Hartley Dewsrt, recently
chosen Ontario provincial leader, as their
rising hope. Out OF the 1872 Liberal
members in the House of Commons fifty
were elected as supporters Of the Union
Government and 50 opposed. OF the SO
Liberals elected outside Of Quebec, 40
were supporters of Union Government.
OF the 81 Liberals elected West of the
Ottawa River, ~ were elected as sup
porters Of Union Government and only 10
opposed.
Convention IL Attacked.
Mr.. Rowell adds:
'The Liberals in the House Of Com
mons, who supported the Union Gov
eminent were not and are not parties
10 the calling Of the proposed conven-
ton. You will. therefore, see that the
convention Is not a convention OF the
Liberal party, but q convention formed
by a section of the party that was hos
tile to the war policy of the Union
Government and to the Union Govern
ment itself. While. no doubt, some
Liberals who supported the Union Gov
eminent WIN attend. the convention Will
NOT be in q position to represent or
speak for the Liberals who supported
Union Government.
The Liberal Unionists must decide
for themselves, irrespective of the ac-
tion of the August convention. the
course they should pursue, in the light
Of the same high considerations Of ma
tional duty which guided them when
they Joined in forming and supporting
Union Government"
The plan and organization Of the
convention are without precedent in the
politics Of Canada. One Of the chief
duties Of the Liberal rally will be to
choose and appoint a leader Of the party.
Both parties on previous occasions have
followed British precedent The MEM
bers OF Parliament, both Houses. selected
the man to lead them. That was the
manner of choice in the case OF Sir
Robert Borden. of Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
and of their predecessors in the lead
ership.
Policy to BE Decided.
This convention will also adopt and
decide on the policy to be followed. 1t
Is twenty-six years since the Liberal
party held a national convention. That
event was followed three years later by
a victory at the polls. This exercise Of
new democracy Is the talisnan which
ardent party men expect to produce the
same desired results.
Delegates to the national party gather
ing are elected by local conventions re-
gularly called in each of the 235 Federal
electoral districts. Liberal members of
Parliament in both houses are delegates.
Invitations have been extended to the
war veterans, TO labor organizations, the
Canadian Council of Agriculture; in fact
the convention is to be an open meeting.
IT may fulfill the hopes Of its originators
or the fears of the cautious element, who
see tactical blunder.
The elements of unrest are still to be
reckoned with. Some good Liberals who
want to see all sections OF Liberals
united believe the convention was called
a year too soon, and that II Is only
playing into the hands OF the, Ualonists
to hold q convention now when problems
of readjustment remain unsolved and
before the leaders of thought are sure
of their ground. To determine a policy
Ia q IN Nha 1oN al
1t was sometimes very necessary in war
TO take long risks, but never advisable
TO do 80 unless circumstances forced to
action.
No Call for Haste.
At the present time there Is no call
FOR immediate action. Sir Robert Bor-
den Is proceeding cautiously. never
making haste in dangerous ground until
after his own trusted men have made
the advance and reported back. The
Prime Minister is in no haste with con-
struction of his Cabinet There is no
reason why he should be.
The passing o. Sir Thomas White will
create no void. A new Minister OF
Finance may be chosen who has a firm
grasp on the first principles of taxation
and public finance and leave the Cab
met stronger to meet the next session
of Parliament than before. Meantime
the Liberals will show their hand. Sir
Robert is on a vacation up the GatIneau
somewhere. Hon. Arthur Meighen and
Hon J. A. Calder. Western Ministers,
will help pick good man for Minister
Of Agriculture IN place OF Hon. T. A
Crerar, resigned.
A national policy on the tariff and
prohibition will he one OF the knotty
problems of puzzling for the Liberals TO
soiye. The recent Ontario provincial
Liberal convention adopted strong pro-
hibition planks in the party platform
and at the same meeting chose for
leader a man who is avowedIy anti
prohibition. Hartley Dewart. X. C. In
Quebec. where the Liberals hope TO hold
q strong majority there Is a law allow
ing wine and beer TO be sold.
Most of the provinces have upheld
prohibitory laws by popular vote. But
the provinces can only stop the retail
sale within their boundaries. Manu-
facture, importation and interprovlncial
traffic are under control OF the Federal
authority.
Dry Problem Looms Large.
A bill was passed at the recent SEES
s.on OF Parliament by the lower house
providing for bone dry conditions In any
Ure. II was defeated by the Senate
How the Liberals convention will deal
with that question remains TO be seen
The Senate is sharply criticised, but
there is large body of sound public