The sun., 1919-07-08
PARLIAMENT ENDS
HISTORIC SESSION
Magnitude of Appropriations
One Of the Outstanding
Features.
NEW NATIONAL IDEAS
Many Progressive Measures
Among the $50 Passed in
Four and Q Half Months.
NEW NATIONAL IDEAS

Special Despatch TO The Canddsdn Sec
tion Of THE SUN.
OTTAWA. July THE session Just
closed. which was the second OF the Thir-
teenth Parliament since Confederation.
brought forth legislation both voluminous
and important. During the four months
and a half of its duration more than
$50 measures passed the two houses and
received royal assent and over 5000 oo,-
900 was voted for expenditure during
the current fiscal year Much of the
legislation and great part Of the de-
alterations reflected new national ideas
born of the war and a great deal was in
response to insistent public demands.
Much OF It in past days would have been
considered radical; in present days It
must be admitted to have been pro-
gressive In point of the magnitude Of
moneys voted no past session in peace
times even approached such a record,
Parliament met under a shadow. With
his notes almost completed forz-his
speech on the address Sir Wilfred Lau-
rier. the venerable leader OF Canadian
Liberalism, was stricken at his home
and three days later passed from the
scere. His death had a profound effect
upon the political situation and the
Opposition, already shot to pieces by the
fortunes Of war politics. was left in the
hopeless position In which the passing
of Gladstone placed British Liberals a
quarter of century ago d. d. McKen-
Gle. a Nova Scotia barrister. more n
Wing than a Liberal In his inclinaticns.
was appointed temporary leader; but
although he exhibited unlocked for quail
tiles OF parliamentary capacity Opposi-
ton tactics and procedure suffered tre-
mendously by reason Of the fact that the
Great Tactician was no longer at its
head.
For the greater part OF the session the
Government also worked under tempo
rary, or acting, leadership. for Sir Rob
ert Borden and three OF his ablest col
leagues were absent in Paris. The Prime
Minister returned az vital juncture in
the fortunes of the Ministry, but he took
little part in the proceedings, and II may
be said that Sir Thomas White to all in
| tents and purposes was seasonal leader
throughout. The Finance Minister, re-
garded as the logical successor to the
| Premiership, rose to his opportunities
| and greatly enhanced his reputation as
statesman of sanity and vision.
| The Political Aspect.
1
| ranks OF the Governments supporters
failed TO materialize in any formidable
das gree. The Opposition Liberals made
| strong. persistent efforts TO effect a rec
| onciliatior with their former comrades,
| who allied themselves with the Con
servatives during the war but all their
endeavors proved futile, Mr.. Pardee. for
mer chief Liberal whip and Mr. Fielding
| ex-Finance Minister. being the only two
4 4
| one time II seemed as though a third
party. radical and low tariff. would
| emerge from the fiscal controversy within
the Unionist ranks, but the expectation
was but slightly realized. Mr.. Crerar. n
| man of moderately progressive views
retired from the Cabinet. and twelve
Cnionists followed his leadership bu'
the future Of this group-their capacity
! TO embarrass the Government or to be-
| come a power in Western politics. where
the spirit OF progressivism Is strcng-de-
| Ponds In large measure upon the attitude
to be taken by the coming National Lib
eral convention.
The outstanding feature OF the session
was the budget, 1t was a budget de-
signed as a fiscal cohesive for the con
fictirg ingredients which make up the
Unionist party, and, judged from that
| standpoint. II was At least a parlia
mentary success. The compromise, how
| ever, involved certain pledges-pledge:
that forecast a departure from the tradi
tional national policy OF protection. and
tho future Is somewhat blurred Apart
rom it's political aspect. involved In thi:
movement from the old national policy
of Sir John Macdonald. the most note
worthy feature about the budget was It.
| general tendency toward indirect al
against direct taxation. Up to the be
ginning OF the war there was practically
NJ direct taxation In Canada, al
revenue being raised by customs anC
excise. The demands OF the war. how
ever, revolutionized financial methods
and next year. through the instrumental
ity Of an income and excess profits busi
ness tax, at least twenty-five per cent
OF the total revenue Is expected TO b.
| derived from direct taxation sources.
The demands upon the treasury dur
ing the coming year, for which appro
priations were made. would have beer
considered appalling In prewar years o
| eight hundred millions TO be expended
about five hundred millions will have t
b. borrowed; and this does not include
the loan for seventy-hve millions nov
bci ing negotiated for in Wall street L
take care OF a maturing hotation.
| now domestic loan for something lik
some time In the early autumn. and
while its terms have not yet been an
nounced. there is reason to believe tina
IL will be for five and a half per cent
with bonds not exempt from taxation.
Radicals Recomme n da lions.
The session was marked BY great un
rest in the country, the echoes OF whicl
pervaded the House of Commons. In III
effort to meet the situation the Govern
ment appointed a commission, under tn
Craftsmanship OF Justice Mathers of Win
nipeg, to report upon ways and mean
OF reaching a better understanding be
tween labor and capital This commits
sion, which travelled all over the coun
try investigating economic condition
and hearing testimony OF labor and In
dustrial leaders, reported too late 70
legislative action. but its report II car
ried out will involve a revolution In tn
Industrial and economic life OF the ma
ton The main recommendation mad