RAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 12

RAIN

New Zealanders are inclined to speak of “the drought” when, with the rivers flowing, the hills still showing their mantle of green, the crops more or less in’ growth, though perhaps short, and live stock watered adequately if not lavishly, the visitor from some more arid portions of the Empire would smile disdainfully at the term. But if the long dry spell which has been experienced practically throughout New Zealand is not a drought in the sense in which that dread word is understood in parts of the world that are not blessed with a climate so equable as ours,, it has certainly persisted so long as to cause inconvenience and loss. -There were no public rejoicings yesterday, when a drenching rain fell for several hours, but probably few persons in the Otago district regarded the usually depressing prospect of a wet day with other than appreciative eyes. The farmer and the. gardener, the civic ! authorities and dwellers in small communities in which rain water is the direct source of supply for all requirements, had immediate cause for relief. The town-dweller who possesses not so much as a window-box in need of watering, can reflect philosophically that if the rain is to him- personally not pleasant, it is bringing to the land a benison which could almost .be counted in pounds, Lhillings and pence , distributed over the entire population of the Dominion. The lack of rain had become a serious matter. Already crops had suffered, the farmer’s calendar had been disorganised, and v the cities had been put to considerable anxiety in the conservation of‘water supplies. A country which is accustomed to having practically an unlimited supply of water for domestic and industrial purposes is, because of this very circumstance, in poor condition to withstand an unusual spell of dry weather. The unfortunate effects in Taranaki and Westland of sudden downpours of unaccustomed proportions only emphasise the usually happy adjustment of rain and sun- • shine which Ifew Zealand enjoys. It is a land so nicely placed climatically as to be unprepared for either a drought or a torrent. The recent ex* perience of dry conditions, however, will serve hot only to iipproye , a situation which was threatening the farmers’ produce and comfort of the community, but to remind us that New Zealand, like less fortunate isles, has no guaranteed immunity from the vagaries of the elements. It is in being prepared to meet abnormal conditions, either of flood or of long spells of dry weather, that a people can best show its wisdom. Nature does not discriminate between peoples, and respect for .her whims must, constantly be shown, by prudent communities which rely so largely on her favour.