When a U. S. President enters the White House, Father Time knows where to find him for the next four years and generally hies himself to Paris, there to split seconds as the Premiers fall. In Canada matters of state are ordered betwixt these extremes. The Parliament must be re-elected every five years, and may be dissolved and re-elected at any time upon the fiat of the Governor General. The Governor General, like King George, generally gives ear to the reigning Premier in such matters. And he in turn responds by custom to any very marked indications that the public is restive and anxious to elect a new Parliament which will mean more power or oblivion for the Premier.
Of late Premier William Lyon Mackenzie King, leader of a Liberal Government which still has constitutionally a year or more's lease on life, has begun to see ominous caligraphs upon the wall, written by the normally Liberal Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which have recently returned Conservative local legislatures. The owners of the Toronto Globe, the most conspicuous Liberal paper of the Dominion, have also recently abandoned Mr. King. And Lord
Byng, the Governor General, a fortnight ago (TIME, Sept. 14) acceded to a request from Premier King that he dissolve the Dominion Parliament, and set Oct. 29 as the date for a general election. Indications are that the Conservatives will be returned to power in a contest to be fought out on these issues:
Senate Reform. Canadian Senators are at present appointed for life by the Governor General, on the recommendation of the Premier in power when a seat falls vacant. In the past there has been a majority of Conservative Premiers, who the Liberals claim have stuffed the Senate with old-foggyism. They will ask the electorate for power to "end or mend" the Senate. Conservatives will maintain that Solons of the Senate's present calibre would not stoop to campaign for their seats, would abandon the Senate to featherbrains, if not honored as they deserve for life.
Immigration. Liberals will promise to try and work out a system like that just established between Britain and Australia, whereby British emigrants to Canada are to be financially assisted by the Home and Dominion Governments. Conservatives will continue to call Mr. King "a jellyfish" for not having managed this already.
Transportation. Liberals will wave sheets of figures landwards to prove that the partially government-owned railroads are solvent and should be let alone; seawards to prove that the North Atlantic Steamship combine's rates are too high. Conservatives will wave other figures to prove that the Government railways are worse than broke and should be turned over to private operators; will make only a few passes at the shipping question in the interest of large Conservative shipowners.
Tariff. To this issue Conservatives cling as burrs to a Canadian longhorn. Like New Englanders they see a menace in every nutmeg that enters free of duty. Liberals will count on the prosperity engendered by a recent bumper harvest to offset discontent at their lowered tariff schedule.