CAUSE OF EARTHQUAKES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 4

CAUSE OF EARTHQUAKES.

To the Editor of the “ Timaru Herald.” Sir,—lf the Government and people of New Zealand will endeavour to get rid of their fear-complex by exchanging their beliefs for real knowledge, they will discover that earthquakes sfcre simply accidents, and in most cases either preventable or their destructive forces reduced to a negligible quantity. Psychologically, there has not been an earthquake in New' Zealand which was not badly needed. They are never wanted, but we know that they are the effect of a pre-existent cause. The cause in all cases, where sufficient data enables one to form an opinion, is apparently the exclusive product of discontented and disturbed human thoughts. The cause of the Hawke's Bay ’quake was undoubtedly, in my opinion, considerably augmented by the Government’s stoppage of the Gisborne railway construction. It provided the last straw to the abnormal unrest, dissatisfaction, and resentment, extending far beyond the hundreds of men who w'ere paid off. It is quite possible that if the Government demands too much from the people—“bricks without straw,”—history may repeat itself and the whole plagues of Egypt be repeated here. I am pleased to note a very important physical factor which bids for the immediate amelioration of earthquakes and other

disturbances, viz., a gradually improving market for our primary produce. Safety from earthquake shock is not greatly increased by much extra cost in building construction. The “Tower of Babel” idea has often been tried and as often failed. The Hawke’s Bay district is safer to-day than ever it has been for all building purposes, and will further improve as the people get rid of their fears and the undesirable conditions w’hich I fear invariably creates. A good shake, although destructive to life and property, seldom lasts long. It provides a safety-valve for our pent up thoughts of discontent, and is much preferable to war, pestilence, or famine, which, as is well known, sometimes results.—l am, etc., C. H. MASON. ■ Timaru, March 8. j . ■ j