New Canadian Satrap

The rise of Freeman Freeman-Thomas has been consistent, orthodox, British. His commoner father, Frederick Freeman-Thomas ("descendant of an old Sussex family"), married the daughter of Viscount Hampden. Young Freeman, assigned as A.D.C. to Baron Brassey, Governor of Victoria, married his daughter. Ten years sufficed him to reach the Junior Lordship of the Treasury at 39 (1905). Eight years later he was Governor of Bombay and Baron of Ratton. Eleven more years and he retired as Governor of Madras and was created Viscount Willingdon (1924).

Last week, at 60, ripe in the service of Empire, he was called to succeed Baron Byng of Vimy as Governor-General of Canada.

As everyone knows, the regime of Baron Byng (1921-26) exactly coincides with the overthrow and recalcitrant subjection of the Canadian Conservative party by the Liberal forces of Premier William Lyon Mackenzie King, who still continues at the head of a precariously joined Liberal-Progressive coalition (TIME, Nov. 9 et seq.).

Five "Byng-King" years have witnessed: 1) The increase of Canadian autonomy by imperceptible degrees, until extreme Liberals now propose a separate flag for Canada. 2) Consistent lowering of Canadian tariffs, despite outraged Conservative opposition. 3) The continued operation of Canadian railways (in part) by the government, amid a furor of contention. 4) Widespread, enhanced prosperity.