¹ In the eleven by-elections which had taken place between 1945 and 1948 the party had won only five; the other six were won by one or the other of the opposition parties.

² For a description of the organization and proceedings of the 1919 convention see Lederle, John W., “The Liberal Convention of 1919 and the Selection of Mackenzie King,” Dalhousie Review, 04, 1947.Google Scholar

³ The different categories of delegates as outlined here are from a report in the Montreal Daily Star, March 6, 1948.

⁴ The dominant role of the party leadership in the proceedings is illustrated by the fate of a resolution brought to the floor of the convention calling for re-imposition of price controls on a selective basis, a measure which was directly contrary to Government policy. The resolution was discussed briefly in the dying hours of the convention but was never passed. Instead it was referred to the Advisory Council of the National Liberal Federation for consideration where it has since been forgotten.

⁵ This summary is from a bulletin, Statement of Principles and Policies of the Liberal Party of Canada: Resolutions Passed by the Convention (Ottawa, National Liberal Federation, 1948).Google Scholar

⁶ The nomination of Mr. St. Laurent was moved by Premier Stuart Garson of Manitoba, the leader of the delegation from that province.

⁷ His organization issued a large number of leaflets, engaged in intense lobbying among the delegates, and provided entertainment in the form of dinners and cocktail parties at which everyone was welcome.

⁸ The previous occasion was the selection of Wilfrid Laurier in 1887.

⁹ According to the Canadian Press figures the Liberals won 68 out of 73 seats in Quebec. Montreal Gazette, June 28, 1949.

¹⁰ For the full text of Mr.King's, speech see the Montreal Daily Star, 08 6, 1948.Google Scholar