THE CALIFORNIAN EARTHQUAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1933, Page 6

THE CALIFORNIAN EARTHQUAKE.

The appalling disaster which has overtaken the State of California will arouse sympathy from the whole of New Zealand. The Dominion knows from bitter experience what the dread effects of an earthquake of any magnitude may be. In California the disaster occurred late at night and in the winter months, two conditions, which added, of course, to the suffering and confusion inevitable at such a time. It is too early yet for a careful assessment of the damage caused, but it is evident that a shocking loss of life as well as tremendous damage to property has been experienced. Nearly a generation ago the San Francisco earthquake and fire created one of the major disasters suffered by civilisation from the forces of nature, and the present conditions in the Los Angeles district, comparatively near to San Fransicso, are sure to cause considerable perturbation in the capital of the State. Fortunately, both in New Zealand and in the United States such a calamity seems to bring out all that is best in a nation. Suffering is borne with fortitude, sympathy is sincere and practical in expression, while from each disaster Science and mechanism join hands in making life and property secure in regions where seismic conditions are known to be uncertain. Already the fortitude and sympathy are in evidence in California, and the determination to gather guidance from the disaster is sure to follow. In the meantime the stricken districts and the United States will have the sincerest sympathy of the Dominion in the suffering and loss caused by a disaster beyond the wit of man to foresee or prevent.