The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 21st, 1925. A RIPARIAN ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 21st, 1925. A RIPARIAN ISSUE.

Whkn the Supreme Court of the United States hands down a decision affecting the Constitutionality or unconstitutionalitv of a law it is, of course, legislating for more than one hundred million people. Rut without much attention from the public, it decided a case the other day directly affecting not only thirty or forty million of the population of the States, hut almost Hu 1 whole population of Canada, as

well, and incidentally the wheat consumers of the world at large. The case was that of half a dozen states lying around the Groat Lakes and in the Mississippi Vallov, and with the Dominion of Canada as a diplomatic plaintiff, against the city of Chicago, in an effo rt to restrain that city from diverting Lake Michigan into a drainage canal a volume of water estimated at ten thousand cubic feet per second, as against a maximum of less than five thousand feet per second permitted by grant of the War Department and by international arrangement. The .Supreme Court found for the plaintiffs, and granted an injunction against the city. The arguments, the waiters in the ease, and the court decision as well, serve to prove how interdependent modern civilization and conditions have become. Chicago many years ago constructed a short canal for drainage and other purposes, the water flowing out of Lake .Michigan and eventually finding its way into the Mississippi. I'Yom an authorized maximum ot -I,l(>< cubic feet per second, the city has gradually increased the volume to about ten thousand feet per second. The effect, if the charges in the ease are correct, have been to reduce the water level of the Great Lakes sufficiently to interfere with the harbors of a number of lake ports on both sides of the boundary line, lowered the power production of Niagara Falls and in the St. Lawrence, and as another of the consequences, to have also lowered the capacity of lake freighters by nine per cent. The litigation brought a maze of technicalities and much fascinating information regarding lake levels. the rise and fall of which have serious results on commerce. But the essential facts are about as stated. There is rejoicing in all lake cities, with the possible exception of Chicago itself, over the result ol the suit, and Canada looks on the decision with equal enthusiasm and.as a vindication of her long contention that Chicago was partially ruining St. Lawrence navigation and numerous power interests." As Montreal has become the largest grain port in North America, her interests need not be more than referred to. In a way the Court verdict is a moral as much as a legal one, for the crux of the case was that Chicago must obey the ruling of the W ar Department, which had fixed the maximum diversion of water from Lake Michigan. The War Department perhaps may have power to enlarge the permitted flow, hut this is unlikely, since it would stir all the trouble over again, and in a more acrimonious fashion. Chicago will have to install a scientific and civilized drainage system eventually, and she is beginning to recognize this fact. But this will take time. Probably the victorious states and the Dominion will not he insistent on the instant application of their injunction. Chicago may he allowed to go on for a time using more water than the law permits, hut it is pertain that if she does not show signs

of realizing what the decision means, trouble will follow.

The interest in the political situation is being manifested in vatious ways. The subject is being kept well to the front. This week our well informed \»elli;ngton correspUident discoursed on tile subject, and reviewing the position from an impartial point of view, made it clear that there is oveiy likelihood of an impending change of government alter next general election. The possibilities of a fusion are being scouted, which is perhaps, as well, for there is the likelihood of more stability and greater initiative from a single party rather than irom a coalition where the elements have to concede so much to each other to keep the wheels going as sweetly as possible. The party in power has the best chance on an appeal to the people all things being considered equal, but just now the party in power is there only by the grace of followers elected under another banner. That condition of affairs is not likely to continue after next election, because it is not unlikely that pattorm pledges will he taken from the candiates which will prevent a recurrence oi tile individual aspect- except with independent candidates, who are not likely to be anymore numerous than in the aieiago heretofore.

Reform will therefore go bclore the electors alter next session quite on its trial. It does not appear it will have the lull force and effect of tre Prime Minister’s help, who, unfortunately is not too well, nor is he likely to be as full of light as in times past. There is a good understudy coming on in the person of Mr McLeod, and as pointed out by our cor res] undent, the .Minister of Lands is likely Horn now on to be in the forefront of the political situation. The opposing elements are going to count materially in the coming fray. I lie Liberals promise to be better organised than they lam been for some time past. Quite a number of useful public men in tin respective constituencies are coming forward as candidates, and where contests are limited to dual engagements, the Liberals should be most successful. ]}ut there may not I c many such, and in the three-cornered contests, there i going to he a great element of doubt owing to the vote splitting. The Liberals stand to lose less than either of the other two panics. It remains then to calculate what they can win. That they will win come seats is probable. and any -accession ‘to then strength will mean a more important party, interposing in flic new Parliament.

On general grounds Labor is supposed to liiivc the best all round chance of improving its position at the next polling. This, on the face of it, docs not appear as serious as it might, lor Labor is still a small section ol the House. U is sure almost to win some 0 f the Government seats where the population is densest and one oi two Liberal seats may be captured in triangular contests, but Labour has some "loathful seats, difficult to hole! against carefully selected candidates, or in simply dual lights, l-abor is keeping to the fore ilist now, and is wooing the eleclois in cooing tone. The fail me of Labor at Home is a set Lack, and that event will be kept in mind. Still there is the Jact that in some walks Labor did remarkably well, and tailed only with its domestic administration. P u fortunately it is in regard to a domestic policy this country needs the best service, and Labour here lias an inherent weakness in that regard. Hut there is always the human element to he taken into account, and in that respect, there is the invariable desire tor a change. Libor oilers a radical change in many respects, more revohitionry than evolutionary. ami in the end the electors will have to make a choice as to methods. On the whole a change is portended, but it is too soon to sum up ||ie probabilities in view, but pos-s-i hi I lies are indicative of labor being more formidable.