The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-03-02
MOVE TO CLEAR
CANADA'S STATUS
Amendment Would Extend
Sovereignty Of Parliament
to New Sphere.

Special Correspondence 10 TIE Sun AND NEW
YoRR HERALD.
OTTAWA, March AFTER an opening
In its new home marked by all the pomp
and circumstance which tradition asso-
ciateS with the ceremony Parliament
has got into its legislative stride, and.
despite a Speech from the Throne re-
markable for its barrenness of promised
action. gives indications Of a session OF
considerable activity and interest
A good beginning in this direction has
already been made by the Government
giving notice Of It's intention to ask
Parliament to send an address to the
King requesting the passing Of an
amending act by the Parliament OF the
United Kingdom altering or amending
the British North America act Canada
unlike the South African Union or Aus
tralia, has not the power to amend Its
own constltution) so that
"Any enactment Of the Parliament
Of Canada shall so operate
and be deemed 10 have operated
extraterrltorially . to the
same effect as II enacted by the Par
Lament Of the United Kingdom"
The effect of such an amendment. II
granted (and II Is inconceivable that It
will not be granted), Is that the SOW
ereignty OF the Canadian Parliament
will be extended to a sphere in which
there now appears to be some doubt OF
its Jurisdiction. A further effect-and
most important OF all from a constitu-
tional standpoint--is that the amend
ment will more clearly emphasize Cana
dian national status.
The resolution, when n comes before
the House, is almost certain to precipi-
tate an important debate upon the Do
minion's position within the Empire and
among the nations Of the world, as there
undoubtedly is a wide difference Of opIn-
ion among the leaders Of the various
parliamentary groups as to precisely
what that status In.
In domestic politics the situation con-
ttnues obscure. The Government. still
strong numerically in the House, Is
nevertheless weak, because much OF its
support is precarious and unreliable.
and crisis, born Of a sudden issue
precipltated into the arena at the
psychological moment, may come at
any time. With the hope Of averting
such a danger the Unionist whips have
summoned a special caucus OF all Min
isterial supporters TO see II 1t is not
possible for them to agree upon a
common platform and to permanently
unite behind a leader whom they can
trust
This caucus Is likely to be far reach
ing iW its consequences. II II results In
n decision of large majority for union,
then the Cabinet Is likely to be reor-
ganized and an attempt will be made
tc hold on to office until the expiration
Of the Parliamentary term in 1922. II,
on the other hand. agreement Is found
to be impossible. then a breaking OF
the dykes must come and a general
election early next summer will be in
evltable, with Farmers, Liberals, La
borists, Conservatives and National
party men all struggling for supremacy.
After a great deal OF consideration,
made necessary by financial reasons.
the Government has decided to COM
plete its shlpbuilding programme and
will ask Parliament for a further vote
Of $20,00O0O0. Thus far shipbuildlns
carried on under Government auspices
has achieved q fair measure Of sue
cess. Thirty ships have been
launched, a dozen or more are in active
commission, a score or more are under
construction In various yards and the
basis Of a great industry. already rep
resenting an investment of hundreds Of
millions Of dollars and employing sew
eral thousands Of men, has been laid.