Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-09
THE CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

" t 1I1G NfAIN<AD1<AN IAEN11OINo. Et-
In the general election just held in Canada the
have won as sweeping a victory as did the
in the United States a year ago. In
the last dominion parliament the Conservatives had
1870 members, the Liberals "a, Progressives IA, In
4, vacant seats 13. With one %constitu-
ency to hear from the membership now stands: Lib
erals 1870, Progressives GO, Conservatives so, Labor
and Independent 2.
1t would be necessary to go far back in Canadi-
an political history to find a parallel for this rever-
sal if, indeed, a parallel exists. In one respect the
situation is unprecedented. For the first time since
the Canadian confederation was formed in 1867 the
Conservative party is not only out of administrative
power, but is reduced to third position in relative
party strength in the house. The Progressive party
takes second place, and it's leaders will be officially
known as the head Of the opposition, and will re-
ceive the salary as we'll as be accorded the dignity
which attaches to that position.
1t is difficult to account completely for politi-
cal occurrences in another country. In most gen
eral elections there are one or two conspicuous is
sues which constitute the main subjects of discus
sion. But in all cases there are local issues and in
conspicuous Inducements which. have their bear
ing on the attitude OF the voters, and sometimes the
sum of these several minor elements is greater than
that of the one or two more prominent issues.
The principal issues in the Canadian election
were the tariff and trade relations with the United
States. Average customs duties in Canada under
any administration have been much lower than the
average in the United States. But in the matter of
the schedules the Conservatives have
stood for higher and the Liberals for lower rates.
The Liberals have also favored a greater develop
ment of trade with the United States than has been
by the Conservatives. 1t was on the is
sue Of reciprocity coupled, of course, with several
other considerations, that the Liberal administra-
ton of Laurier went to defeat in 1911.
i But the campaign was not confined to these
two issues. The new Progressive party, which now
takes second place in the house membership, shares
in a general way the tariff and trade views of the
Liberals, and also advocates measures such as were
embodied in the platform of the American Progress
sive party organized in 1912. If the house member
ship were to be grouped into two parties, most of
the Progressives would be found in the Liberal
ranks.
Account must be taken, too, of the fact that the
Conservatives have been in power for ten years,
and in that time a reaction is to be expected. In
that time any party is bound to provide, the opposi-
ton with a rather impressive list of grievances, and
sometime the turn must come. There is to be con-
sidered. also, the fact that while the Canadian war
administration was not wholly Conservative, that
element was largely predominant in it, and while
national loyalty prompted the support of the exist
ing administration in war time, war administration
are not apt to be popular when peace comes. Still
further is the fact that Canada, like the rest OF the
world, is passing throughsa period of great depres-
sion. Business IS poor money IS scarce; farmers
are having a hard time tofniake ends meet, and tax
eS are 11gh. lhe administration Which must 60, to
the country under those circumstances is %unfortu-
nate.
The Canadian election is of immediate interest
in this country because of the fact that the recip-
rocity agreement which was rejected by Canada ten
years ago is still on the American statute books,
ready to be made effective whenever the Canadian
parliament signifies its acceptance. Because that
conpact has been imperative thus far it has largely
been forgotten. But the new turn of affairs in Can
ada will bring the subject Of 'reciprocity to the front
again, and another problem will be presented to our
congressman.