FLOOD CONTROL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 153, 31 May 1941, Page 5

FLOOD CONTROL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Flood control is possible only "ltlini certain limits ana usually at enormous cost to the settlers concerned. To successfully control ffoou* it is obvious that ru-m control must precede it. if it bo possible to do so. and it is only a question of knowing how, why struggle to control the rain alter it has deluged the land when, like the radio, it can be controlled irom our own firesides? The destructive rainfall which lioodod the Manawatu Kiver on the dial and -Ith oi -May was preceded by a month yield-1 ing only half the expected rainfall, apparently owing to the fortunes of war and during one oi those periods where the tension of anxiety throughout New Zealand was nearing its peak of suspense; but, by the beginning of -May, it suddenly relaxed our dismal forebodings • were dispelled when the Anzaes again iuscril>cd their name in the hearts of all lovers of freedom. The phenomenon oi a disturbed mentality preceding a storm is not unusual. although unnoticed except by tile most observant students of Nature. The rainfall in Palmerston North and district was a negligible contribution to the big flood, and tlie rain which fell here, although heavy, was just the overlap of the excessive rainfall in the upper reaches of the Manawatu's drainage area, where most of the settlers have not yet fully realised that their unconscious, unruly thoughts create the conditions of fears realised. It may seem quite harmless to store up our anxious emotions for a lew weeks or so till they suddenly burst, as is inevitable sooner or later, unless "i-nvb ; on has been made for these energies to be diverted to useful or, at least, inoffensive purposes. As a rule before playing with firearms we always make sure that they are not loaded ; yet we forget that our thoughts—mind in action —arc always loaded and aimed to the building of character for good or ill, for health ami happiness, or disease and misery. There is nothing inanimate which is so sensitive to thought or desire as atmospheric or climatic conditions, f make tin 1 statement advisedly. We may not desire a change in the wea-l tlier but often, unconsciously, our thoughts lead to either changing or augmenting present conditions. The desire for rain or fair is not decided | bv the toss of a coin, nor yet bv the meteorological department. It is the franchise granted to mankind by the Creator, viz., “to have dominion over all the earth.” Mr Hitler lias long dreamt its possibility : we, on the other hand, are perceptibly demonstrating its accomplishment, guided mainly through the settlers’ thoughts concentrated on beneficial rain, or conditions most desirable, for the good of the community.—l am. etc.). C. H. MASON. Palmerston North. 30/5/41.