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- 2-

My own course in not seeking a seat until the
people's representatives in the Commons had, to all intents
and purposes, given expression to their feelings upon the
attitude I had assumed, has become increasingly appreciated
by Members of Parliament and the country. The Majority of
six thousand, or thereabout, which I received in the byelection
in Prince Albert, was not due to the absence of any regular
Party candidate. An Independent was selected believing he
would get a pretty substantial Conservative support and some
Progressives as well. The fact that the total vote was as
large, if not larger than the total vote at the general elections,
and that in most polls I gained more than the combined
Progressive and Liberal vote at that time, is a clear
indication that the people wish to show their endorsation of
my stand, and the policies of the Administration as outlined
in the Speech from the Throne.

When Parliament was summoned I made quite clear,
in the official announcement to the Press, that once the
question of majority control was settled, an adjournment
would be had, to enable whichever leader might be given
support opportunity to arrange for the business of the
Session. Mr. Meighen has taken the curious position of
refusing to allow us the intermission, and is trying to have
it appear that the Goverrunent's reason for requesting it
is due to its inability to function properly. The only
purpose that his tactics have served has been to make increasingly
apparent the line of cleavage between his own
supporters, and the groups that are now solidly allied in
their opposition to them. In two months he has really
done more to solidify the anti-Conservative forces than
it would have been possible for me to do in as many years.
I have not yet taken my seat in Parliament, but will be able
to do so next week. The constituency of Prince Albert is
so large and so far away that it takes three days to get
returns from all the polls, and another three days to bring
the writ from the Constituency to Ottawa. The law requires
that before forwarding the writ it be held for six days to
permit of a recount. All of that has delayed my return
to the Commons.

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