WEATHER FORECASTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 6

WEATHER FORECASTS.

The discussion in the fiouse of Eepresentatives this week on the efficiency of the Meteorological branch of the Marine Department was. not without interest and value, though it was somewhat fantastical to suggest, as Mr Atmore did, that the losses suffered by the pastoralists of Otago by the recent snowstorm could have been saved by the expenditure of a few shillings on a telegram. The department might or might not have been able to predict the snowstorm, but it could not have foretold its intensity, nor could it have afforded a warning concerning it in time to enable pastoralists to rescue their sheep from the high levels. In these matters tne opinion of the practical man counts for at least a little more than that of the theorist, and Mr Burnett, member for Temuka, pointed out that the most the Meteorological Department can at present do is to warn pastoralists that snow is probable on the high country. Snow is not dangerous for stock unless there is a heavy fall of it. Unfortunately there were heavy and repeated falls this winter. A snowstorm sometimes catches unawares even the most careful and competent; runholders. "We do not suggest, however, that the present activities of the Meteorological service' meet the reasonable requirements of the country, for, though the practice of supplying coastal weather reports has been resumed,, there are various directions in which they might be extended. Mr Burnett is of opinion that co-operation between,sheep farmers and the department would result in securing a greater measure of efficiency in the forecasting of storms, and consequently in obviating their destructive effects. The gradual extension of the telephone system will doubtless prove of benefit in this connection to settlers in the back country, but the Government" should make every reasonable effort to provide the fullest and most reliable weather forecasts.