A Change for the Better
CANADA'S electors have almost made up their minds this time. It is a pity they did riot do so completely and give Mr. Lester Pearson the extra six or seven seats his Liberal Party needs for an absolute majority in Ottawa. But the redeeming factor in this week's election, Canada's fourth in six years, is that this weekend must be Mr. Diefenbaker's last as Prime Minister. His vanity is greater than his political ability, and although he does not bear all the blame for the decline of the country's internal economic for- tunes and external political reputation, a large part of it rests on his shoulders. The losses by Social Credit and the New Democratic Party are also welcome, Movements of their kind flourish when Canada is confused. The confusion seems to have dissipated a little; the chances of another period of stable government increased.
The most important positive result of the Liberals' return to power is the prospect of im- proved Canadian-American relations. Mr. Pear- son is well aware of the obvious fact that Canada is part of North America. He knows that there is a great deal to be lost by trying to grapple with the Washington Administration; there is some- thing to be gained by co-operating with, and try- ing to influence, the United States. On the domestic front, it is heartening to know that the new Cabinet will contain politicians who know something about economics. The Canadian The Liberal Wave. economy will always be in the hands of the gods to some extent. But the Conservative Govern- ment left it entirely to the gods, with disastrous results. The Liberals can do better. They will certainly do no worse.
Previous page
