The Canadian election campaign was opened by both parties on
Tuesday, when speeches were delivered by Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr. Borden, the Opposition leader. The latter devoted himself principally, according to the Times corre- spondent, to a consideration of the Reciprocity Agreement. He declared that it meant Free Trade in everything that the farmer produced and undiminished taxation upon everything he bought. It was unquestionably the thin end of the wedge and would lead to unrestricted Continental free trade. Mr. Borden prophesied that it would cause Canada to abandon her position in the British market, and that if at a later date the Reciprocity Agreement were abrogated it would be impos- sible for her to regain that position. In a leading article on Wednesday the Times draws attention to the importance of the rise of the new Nationalist Party, which is opposed to both of the older parties. If the Nationalists are as success- ful as is in some quarters anticipated they may possibly be left with the balance of power in their hands as a result of the election. The main point in their policy appears at present to be simply the weakening of the power of Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
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