Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-09
Canada Liberals Win
But Lack Majority
Diefenbuker
Won't Yield
His Top Post
BY DAVID S. BRODER
Star staff Writer


Pearson's Liberal Party teetered
on the brink Of a Parliamentary
majority today, but Conserva-
tive Prime Minister John G.
Diefenbaker refused to concede
that his stormy, six-year reign
was ended in yesterdays Cana
dian national election.
Unofficial returns gave the
Liberals l27 seats. the Conserv-
atives, 90; the rightwing Social
Credit Party, "a, and the lett
wing New Democratic Party, II.
One race was still undecided.
A clear majority in Parlia-
ment requires at least 1873 seats.
Won't Resign Yet
Mr.. Diefenbaker said early
today he would wait until AL
the votes have been tabulated"
before deciding whether to re-
sign and let Mr.. Pearson form
a government.
The Prime Minister issued
his statement shortly after the
Liberal Party leader claimed
the returns showed his party
is the only one that can give
Canada a stable government.
Mr.. Pearson agreed the re-
suits early today were incon-
elusive, but he expressed the
hope that the servicemen's vote,
additionally Liberal, may switch
enough close seats to give him a
narrow majority.
Early this afternoon, Keith
Davie, chairman of the Liberal
Party organization. said 1t APP
peared the Liberals will fall
three seats short Of an absolute
majority.
Mr.. Davie said he expected
the Liberals to gain enc Of the
two undecided seats and over
turn two apparent losses when
the soldiers vote is tabulated.
Asked If there was any pos
sibility Of the Liberals reach
ing 1873 seats, he said, Il can't
see that happening"
Ballots from the l4l,2l0
eligible servicemen will not be
tabulated until next week end.
In last June'S election, the
soldiers vote was 63.5 per cent
Liberal and switched two seats
from the Conservative column.
Pearson Ascent Predicted
Most political observers IN
Ottawa are predicting Mr.. Pear
son will be the next Prime
Minister. But they agree there
is no clear constitutional re-
quirement that Mr.. Diefenbaker
resign from the post II the
Liberals fail to reach 1873 seats.
In a somewhat comparable
situation in 1857. Liberal Prime
Minister Louis st. Laurent
stepped aside and let Mr.. Die
: fenbaker form a minority Con-
sentative government. But 80
years earlier, the late Mackenzie
King stayed in office despite a
setback at the polls.
; In his statement last night,
, Mr.. Pearson appeared to be
prodding Mr.. Diefenbaker to
follow the st. Laurent prece-
| dent.
Noting that the Conserva-
tives had suffered their sec
ond drastic defeat at the polls
> in a year." the Liberal leader
said 1T is the responsibility Of
the Prime Minister. and all Of
us, to make a decision which
is in the best interest Of
, Canada"
; In his subsequent statement,
: Mr.. Diefenbaker said he would
do Just that-but he gave no
hint of intending TO resign.
Conservatives Bow
! However, the Prime Minister
did concede his party's defeat
] at the polls, saying, with an
effort at a smile. that ITS
p natural I regret the outcome Of
the election"
The returns saw Conserva-
tive forces In retreat in metro
politan areas across Canada.
Only the farmers in the prairie
provinces OF Manitoba, Sas-
See CANADA, Page AS