The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-17
new BUDGET BRINGS
STORM OF PROTEST
Failure to Lower Tariff Weak
ems Cabinets Hold on
the Country.
CLAM0R BY OPPOSITION
Formation Of Western Free
Trade Farmers Party Is
Forecast.
CLAMOR BY OPPOSITION
Special Correspondent. TO TIE sus

in Parliament and tho sustained indus
trial unrest throughout the country
oNershadow all other Canadian events.
No Dominion budget In recent years
has encountered such n storm Of pro-
test and criticism as that which the FL
nance Minister brought down ten days
ago. 1t Is overwhelmingly unpopular in
the West and not overly pleasing to GER
| tain interests In the East The opposi-
ton In Parliament. aided by Mr.. Crerar.
lato Minister OF Agriculture, and by a
small Unionist low tariff group, has
sharply challenged its tariff proposals;
Government will be sustained in the
House, II is equally certain that the
antagonism which its failure to make
greater reductions IN the tariff has
aroused will tend to weaken considerably
its hold upon the country.
! The position taken by the opposition
Is embodied in an amendment moved by
| A. X. McMaster. one OF the leading
| Liberals in the House, declaring that
IN: Governments proposals are unsat-
| isfactory. expressing regret that they
make no attempt to deal with the high
cost Of living and calling for abolition
or all duties on foodstuffs and asricul-
tural implements. a downward revision
OF the tariff generally and the enact
ment OF q reciprocity agreement with
tho United States.
| In support of this amendment oppo-
sfuon leaders assail the Government
with great spirit. charging II with be-
ing the tool OF trusts. combinations and
ronopolies. blaming II for widespread
industrial unrest through failure TO deal
with profteers and criticising 1t severe
~ Tor alleged recklessness In expedi-
lures
A Third Pnrty.
This attack, coming as II does from
ar opposition which, to say the least.
Is but the rump of the old Liberal party.
would not carry much weight in the
country but for the fact that II is sup
ported by a small but very influential
group Of Western Unionists who have
broken from the Government ranks
This group. led by Mr.. Crerar, a leader
or ability and integrity. with a con-
siderable following in the West Is, in
point OF fact. the spcarhead Of the as
sault upon the tarir proposals.
Unlike the opposit.on--which, despite
It's free trade professions. has many high
protectionists in its ranks and which liz
| vague in its counter proposals-Mr
| Crerar submits definite alternative
policy for the country to pursue. He
| would abolish the tariff upon all goods
| which come under the heading of either
FOOD, clothing or shelter. as we'll as upon
! all goods which are necessary to de-
velop production. and no would make up
the loss OF revenue that 80 big reduc-
tons OF duties would entail by (l) in
creasing income taxation. cd imposing
an inheritance tax and t3) by taxing
the value Of unimproved lands
The Governments view Is that 40
drastic an Interference with the fiscal
policy or the country would be followed
py an economic paralysis and that
neither an increased income tax nor an
Inheritance tax, nor a land tax, nor all
three combined. could make I'D even a
small percentage of the loss in customs
revenue. IT maintains. further, that the
period OF transition from war TO peace,
with the industrial future uncertain and
with problems Of reconstruction ex-
tremely difficult. is not the time TO re-
wise the tariff and II proposes an in
quiry by a ministerial commission with
the object of framing a permanent fiscal
policy suited to the normal economic
needs OF the nation.
Government IL safe.
Out Of such a controversy, which has
gripped the country as have few fiscal
oatues IN recent years, 1t is difficult TO
tell what may come. For the present the
Government Is safe and Mr.. McMaster's
amendment will undoubtedly be re-
Jected by large majority; but there
are many who predict that the fight now
being waged in Parliament is but the
forerunner OF a much greater battle in
the country and that when the next gen
era! election comes a Western free trade
farmers party. united with labor In the
East and Increased by scattering of
Radicals from every province, will enter
the field and contest with both the old
parties-Liberal and Conservative-for
supremacy in tho House Of Commons.
Already Mr.. Cregar is hailed as the
new radical FREQ trade leader OF the
future, and unquestionably, with such
policy as he has enunciated, he would
more than hold his own against both
Liberals and Conservatives in the
prairie provinces. II Is doubtful how
ever. whether Mr.. CreEar who is more |
national than sectional. would consent
to lead a purely Western party, with |
its danger OF setting West against East, |
and there are many who would not be |
surprised to see him as the permanent |
successor Of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, con.
senting TO lead a rejuvenated Liberal |
party purged Of purely reactionsry in
fiuences. |
Unrest Continues.
hieaHWHiiC industrial unrest continues
throughout the country. Eight or ten |
days ago hopes were high for a settle |
ment OF most Western strikes, and espe-
cially OF that which has paralyzed VIM !
nipeg; but, for reasons not quite clear, |
settlement failed just as It was on the |
point OF being achieved. and, at the time |
of writing, the situation appears as
dark as at any period since the struggle |
began. Moreover, 10 make matters /
worse, a great strike OF railway shop
men IL threatened-a strike which, il !
not prevented. may have very serious
consequences.
The newspapers and public men are
taking an extremely serious view OF the |
outlook. as II Is realized that unlnsa