Evening star., 1940-03-26
War Conduct Issue
As Canadians Go
To Polls Today
LiberoI Party Seeking
Confidence Vote for
Mackenzie King
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
OTTAWA, March 26.-Conduct of
the war against Germany was the
central issue in voting today a.
Canada's Liberal party government
staked its existence on the first ma
tional parliamentary election since
October IA, 1885.
The only parties which could
command a majority of the 245
seats in the House of Commons un-
aided are the Liberals, led by Prime
Minister w. L. Mackenzie King,
and a National Government group
headed by DR.. Robert J. Manion,
Conservative leader.
A weekend blizzard which
blocked many roads was expected
to reduce the number Of today's
voters, previously estimated at about
100000 out of approximately
6,500,O00 eligible. The Liberals have
received support in the past in the
rural sections most likely to be af-
fected by the weather.
While the main campaign issue
was conduct Of the war, other is
sues relating to war and postwar
problems were debated in the eight
week campaign.
Mr.. Mackenzie King dissolved
Parliament January Is and called
the election in answer to critics
of his war policy.
War Record Attacked.
Spokesman of the National Gov
eminent group attacked the admini-
stration's record of preparation for
and actual conduct Of the war, con-
tending it was slow and inefficient.
Liberal spokesmen contended the
administration compared very favor
ably with that during the first six
months Of the World War, when a
Conservative government was in
power.
Both major parties expressed op-
position to conscription, proposing
to carry on the system of voluntary
enlistments under which some co.
900 Canadians have jained the colors.
Members of the armed forces in
Canada and England completed ball
loting Saturday but their totals
will not be known until April /,
or later.
OF the 669 candidates for the 244
seats at stake 239 are Liberals, 212
are followers of DR.. Manion, SO rep
resent the Cooperative Common
wealth Federation; % the New
Democracy and "a are Independents
or of miscellaneous parties.
Death Of Willie Poisson, Liberal
candidate in the Three Rivers con-
stituency, resulted in postponement
of the election there until some later
date.
On dissolution, the Liberals held
l76 seats and the Conservatives, 80.
The House of Commons term is for
five years, unless sooner dissolved
Senate members are summoned for
life by the Governor General.
; While the major parties were con-
cerned largely with the war issue,
the Cooperative Commonwealth
Federation campaigned on domestic,
) financial and social matters. The
New Democracy advocated war
mobilization of the whole power Of
the nation:
DR.. Manions supporters have
argued that only national govern
ment formed without regard for
party lines can manage the war
effort effectively.
Mr.. Mackenzie Kings Liberals
have said, however, that if they do
not win a majority they will not
participate in formation of q gov
ernment.
Mr.. Mackenzie King, a 65-year- -old
bachelor, has been in public life for
40 years. This was the third general
election in which he has participat-
ed as Prime Minister and the sixth
as Liberal Party leader. He is seek
ing reelection to the House Of
Commons from Prince Albert, Sas-
katchewan.
Both Leaders in Ottawa.
His opponent, DR.. Manion, Is So,
a Catholic, active in public affairs
since 1917 after the World War in
terrupted his medical career. He
has held a number of cabinet port
folios. He is a candidate In his
home town, Fort William.
Both the leaders were in Ottawa
to await the returns, which may not
be definite until late tonight.
A new law forbids publication Of
returns in any province until its
own polls have closed at pm, local
standard time.