King to Canada

Canada's Prime Minister threw the weight of his prestige into Grey North's all-important by-election (TIME, Jan. 1; Jan. 15). In a statement addressed to Grey North voters, but directed to all Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie King urged the Ontario riding to elect Liberal Candidate Andrew G. L. McNaughton, National Defense Minister. Should McNaughton be defeated, he strongly implied, Parliament would not meet at all.

The Prime Minister also said that if General McNaughton were elected, the session would be short, and that there would be a general election call "within a few months," certainly before Parliament's legal life ends April 17.

Mr. King thus categorically ruled out the much discussed possibility that Parliament's life might be extended. Political visibility was better, but a light fog remained. Some observers close to the Prime Minister hazarded the idea that he might try to catch opposition parties off balance by dissolving Parliament before Grey North voted. This would mean that there would be no Grey North by-election. It would also mean a general election just about the time an Allied spring offensive might be expected in Europe--good voting weather for Mr. King.

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