Mr. Mackenzie King's explanation of the causes of his victory
may be accepted. He challenged primarily Mr. Bennett's dictatorial methods and revived against him with devastating force the Conservative leader's claims at the last election to possess panaceas for unem- ployment. Mr. King on his election platforms advocated lower tariffs, fairer terms for British goods, reciprocity with the United States and a general revision of the Ottawa agreements. On that programme Canada has given its verdict. There were no doubt contributory factors. The appearance of five parties in the field provoked genuine fears of an indeterminate result, giving rise to prolonged instability. Faced with that danger, the hesitant elector evidently deemed it prudent to vote for the party with the best chance of success. So far as he did that the hesitant elector has abundantly achieved his purpose. Mr. King is to all appearance firmly installed for five years, though, like most leaders with a large majority, he may have some difficulty in holding his Right and Left wings together, and the solid support of conservative but Liberal Quebec may raise some problems. So far as relations with Great Britain are concerned, they promise to be at least as cordial under Mr. King as they have been during Mr. Bennett's five years.
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