Conference, the Trades and Labour Congress, the Political Equality League. On Mar. 26th a Provincial Liberal Convention was held in Winnipeg with 1,000 Delegates present from all over Manitoba and a preliminary gathering, on the evening of the 25th, which was an enthusiastic endorsement and welcome to T. Crawford Norris, member of the Legislature for 13 years and Liberal leader since 1909. A. B. Hudson, D. S. Hamilton, Dr. R. S. Thornton, W. H. Trueman, R. M. Noble, Dr. J. N. Hutchison, and A. C. Fraser of Brandon, were well-known Liberals who followed the brief speech of Mr. Norris. At the Convention next day Mr. Hudson was Chairman for a time and then gave way to Edward Brown, one-time leader of the party, with J. W. Fleming of Brandon as Vice-Chairman. Mr. Brown predicted victory but also declared that "the death-throes of the Roblin régime will be spectacular in the extreme." The most important business of the Convention was a series of Resolutions moved by various representative Liberals and duly passed. They were as follows: 1. The present Government of Manitoba merits the condemnation of the people of this Province because it has been inefficient, extravagant and partizan in administration; it has governed the Province for the benefit of individuals; it has diverted to party uses a large and growing proportion of grants for public purposes; it has manipulated for partizan purposes the constituencies of the Province so as to deprive many of them of the basis of approximately equitable representation in the Legislature; in the face of positive and definite charges made by members of the Legislature on the floor of the House it has refused to grant any inquiry into such charges; it has repeatedly violated the British tradition of justice, having by a subservient magistracy and Provincial police, utilized the processes of law for partizan purposes; it has instigated and encouraged political corruption and used the Civil Service for that end; it has condoned political crimes and has fostered and protected drinking dives and gambling resorts under the guise of clubs; it has neglected or refused to ensure to all the children of the Province an education fitting them for the duties of life and the responsibilities of citizenship. 2. This Convention endorses the principle of Direct Legislation by means of the Initiative and Referendum, and maintains that the adoption of this reform as a part of our system of government would give effect to the will of the people, and would therefore be entirely in harmony with true democracy and British constitutional government. 3. The Liberal party, if returned to power, stands pledged (1) to maintain unimpaired the integrity of the National School system of the Province; (2) to make it the first duty of the Government to bring suitable educational facilities within reach of all the children of the Province; (3) to make the adequate teaching of English obligatory in all public schools; (4) to enact amendments to the present School Law to provide for a measure of Compulsory education which, while respecting the personal rights and religious convictions of the individual shall make it obligatory on parents and guardians of all children that such children shall receive a proper elementary education either by attendance at the public schools or by such substitute within the choice of the parents as shall attain this end; (5) to increase the efficiency of rural schools by much more liberal grants from the Legislature (not less than $200 per teacher per annum in rural schools) and by more careful supervision; (6) to repeal the Coldwell amendments. 4. This Convention condemns the administration of the Liquor License Law as grossly inefficient, corrupt, and partizan and declares that the Roblin Government is responsible therefor and should on this account, and on account of its opposition to all proposals of reform, be condemned by all citizens who believe in moral progress and favour enforcement of the law; that the Liberal party, recognising the grave evils, disorders and corrupt influence associated with the liquor traffic, especially the Bar sale of liquor and the treating custom, reaffirms its declaration of unqualified sympathy with the Temperance cause and pledges itself to pass an Act for the abolition of the bar, to be prepared by the recognized Temperance forces, and to submit such Act to a Referendum, which Act if endorsed by the electors, shall be put into operation and shall have the hearty support of the Liberal party in its thorough enforcement; to amend the Liquor License Act so as to ensure a large reduction in the number of liquor licenses, the abolition of proprietory club licenses, and the prohibition of the sale of liquor on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Thanksgiving Day; to amend the Local Option law by providing that any municipality shall have the power to limit, reduce or abolish any class of liquor licenses as well as to shorten the hours of sale and that resident voters, only, shall have the right to vote and that no liquor licenses shall be issued where a Local Option by-law has been carried and subsequently quashed on technical grounds. 5. The Liberal Party pledges itself, if returned to power, to develop and give effect to a progressive agricultural policy embodying among others these features: (1) the extension of agricultural education by more practical demonstration farms and by direct instruction, thus taking the Agricultural College to the farmer; (2) the encouragement by advice, support and necessary financial assistance of Co-operative movements among farmers for the buying of supplies, the marketting of products and the securing of necessary funds for farming purposes upon more advantageous terms; (3) to establish at once a public abattoir. 6. This Convention deplores the systematical prostitution of justice for political ends by the Roblin Government; its persistent refusal to amend the numerous glaring defects in election laws and to persecute persons guilty of election crimes and pledges itself: (1) to the faithful and impartial administration of justice in the Province; (2) to so amend the Election Act as to provide adequate punishment for election offences and to enforce the same; (3) to so amend the Controverted Elections Act as to provide for a more speedy trial of election petitions. 7. Inasmuch, as the prosperity of the Province, in a great measure, depends upon the existence of good roads, the Liberal party re-affirms its policy of cooperating with the municipalities in the matter of road-building, and declares that all Provincial aid given should be spent through the Municipal Councils. 8. This Convention goes on record as favouring legislation which will give municipalities local option as to classification of properties for taxation. 9. The Liberal Party, in convention assembled, pledges itself to take all possible steps to secure the immediate transfer of Manitoba's lands and natural resources from the Dominion of Canada to this Province. 10. The Liberal party, believing that there are no just grounds for debarring women from the right to vote, will enact a measure providing for equal suffrage, upon it being established by petition that this is desired by adult women to a number. equivalent to 15 per cent. of the vote cast at the preceding general election in this Province. 11. The Liberal party favours the extension of Hydro-electric power throughout the Province so as to enable the benefits of light and power at reasonable rates to be enjoyed by as large a portion of the Province as is economically feasible. 12. This Convention records itself in favour of progressive legislation for the assistance and protection of wage-earners and the improvement of conditions of living; the effective application of the fair-wage clauses to Provincial Government contracts; the enforcement by imposition of adequate penalties and otherwise of prompt payment of wages by Government contractors; an eight-hour day on all Government contracts and in favour of so amending the Workmen's Compensation Act as to give adequate compensation and more expeditious settlement of all claims. Incidents of the Convention included addresses by Rev. Dr. C. W. Gordon and Rev. Dr. S. G. Bland, J. D. McGregor, Brandon and E. D. Martin, Winnipeg, and the great reception given to Mrs. McClung and Mrs. A. V. Thomas of the Political Equality League.. Mr. Norris closed the Convention in a speech summarizing the platform which his Manifesto of June 20th further elaborated. Provincial In order that the issues at stake may be placed squarely before you I desire through the medium of this Manifesto to state clearly and concisely the views which I hold on the larger problems which will be before you for consideration. On this occasion I do not deem it necessary to explain at any length the platform and policies of the Liberal party. These have been before the public for some time and are now known to the electors. I need scarcely add that every plank of the Liberal party as adopted by the recent Convention meets with my full approval and that if endorsed by the electors it will be my duty and privilege to see to it that every plank in our platform is carried into effect. As the campaign upon which we have entered develops every effort will be made to be-cloud the real issues. It is desirable, therefore, at the very outset that you should have a clear conception of the chief questions to be decided in this election. In a brief Manifesto such as this must necessarily be, I can do no more than summarize them for your consideration. From the standpoint of the future welfare of the Province and its citizenship the School question is undoubtedly the main question at issue. The Roblin Government during its 14 years of office has persistently refused to create the necessary conditions either by law or regulation to ensure a proper education for all the children of the Province. As this problem has been before our people for many years and as the remedies required are thoroughly understood it is quite unnecessary to discuss them in detail. Suffice it to say that if entrusted with authority to do so I shall see to it (1) that the School law is amended so as to make adequate provision for the attendance of children at school; (2) that properly qualified teachers are employed in every school receiving State aid; (3) that all children attending public schools receive a sufficient training in English; (4) that all schools are thoroughly inspected by competent inspectors; (5) that the Coldwell amendments are repealed; and (6) that wherever there are children to be educated there will be schools in which to educate them. The Liquor problem has come prominently to the fore in recent years. In my judgment this is due very largely to the loose administration of our Liquor laws and the manipulation of the liquor interests for political purposes. Our citizens have become completely disgusted with conditions as they exist. With the approval of the Government there has been allowed to grow up in our midst a system of saloons and clubs that are nothing less than breeding places for vice. These must be swept out of existence. Besides there has been a growing sentiment in favour of the abolition of the bar. As regards this question the Liberal party stands by its pledge to enact such Temperance legislation by way of reform as the majority of the people may desire as indicated by a Referendum. I hold that on an issue of this kind the will of the people should prevail and that they should be given the fullest opportunity to decide the question on its merits apart from other issues. In the forthcoming election you will be called upon to decide whether or not you approve of the principle of Direct Legislation. We are living in a democratic age and we have democratic institutions. Our government is founded on the principle that laws are made for the people and that the people rule. Occasionally those who are called to our legislative counsels conceive the idea that the making and the unmaking of law should centre in themselves and that the people should not be consulted. With this view I have absolutely no sympathy. I hold that the people of our Province who, after all, are the real rulers should have the right at all times by a properly expressed vote to decide on the making or unmaking of law if they so desire. Good Roads. This is one of the largest practical problems facing our citizens. There is not a single community in Manitoba that is not deeply interested in the proper solution of this question. The Liberal party is in favour of large expenditures for road construction but we stand opposed four square to the manipulation and squandering of public money on roads for purely political purposes. This has been carried on by the present Government on a large scale. In the recent bye-election in Gimli something like $93,000 was expended in this one district in one summer while farmers elsewhere in the Province have been waiting for years for some assistance to enable them to get to market. The present Government recently provided a sum of $2,500,000 for road work. This is certainly not too much for the task in hand; but a well-devised policy should be adopted whereby this money will be honestly spent in the interests of all the people regardless of political considerations. In addition to the matter already mentioned there are several other questions of prime importance that space will not permit to be dealt with in detail. These include Woman's Suffrage, the protection of wage-earners, the establishment of demonstration farms, the encouragement of co-operative organizations among farmers, the building of a public abattoir, hydro-electric development and extension, the securing of our lands and natural resources and more liberal grants to our public schools. Upon all these questions the Liberal party has declared where it stands and I would ask every elector to judge for himself whether or not the time is ripe for the Province of Manitoba to make a forward move along these progressive lines. While the various matters to which I have already referred constitute the chief issues between the Opposition and the Government on questions of policy there is one other consideration which demands the earnest attention of every citizen of the Province. To me it seems that the most serious problem which our people must face and must decide on July 10th is whether or not domination of public affairs by machine rule shall continue. The Roblin Government, by reason of its long term of office, has become surrounded by an organized gang of political workers who have grown bold in their manipulation of matters pertaining to elections and patronage. As electors I ask you the plain question. How long do you propose to stand for rule by this machine? It has become the dominating influence in our political life. Is it your wish that we should have five years more of it? This is not a question of party. I appeal to all right thinking citizens-Conservatives, Independents, and Liberals, alike, to sweep this organization out of existence. In all earnestness and sincerity I call upon the true citizenship of Manitoba to clean up the mess that exists in this Province. In conclusion I desire to thank my many friends and supporters who are so faithfully aiding me in the present campaign. This is the people's fight, not mine, I fully realize my own short-comings, but I am prepared to do all that is in my power in the cause of clean and good government. As regards the outcome I have no doubt. I believe you are thoroughly aroused to the situation. As I journey through the Province from day to day I am more and more convinced that the great majority of the electors have concluded that the Roblin Government has outlived its usefulness and that it is time for a change. The battle, however, must be fought to the last ditch. I therefore appeal to every supporter to rally around our candidates and roll up as large a majority as possible in every constituency. Winnipeg, June 20th. Provincial Elections-The Yours faithfully, T. C. NORRIS. Almost every point of the educational problem in the mixed population of Manitoba had become, by 1914, a part of the issues dividing or concerning the Parties. The 1912 Coldwell amendments to the School Act were claimed by Conservative Catholics to facilitate the acquisition of Separate School privileges-relief from the burden of maintaining their own schools and paying public school taxes also; the Orange Order, which was powerful in Manitoba and of which Hon. G. R. Coldwell, Minister of Education, was a member, was strongly inclined to share this view and to keenly resent the Government's action; Liberal Catholics and the North West Review, a church organ, were disposed to regard the Coldwell legislation as something they had not asked for and did not want, as entirely ineffective and useless but as better at the worst than the Liberal policy; the French-Canadian population thought of their language as well as their religion and further complicated the issue |