DO FIRES BRING RAIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20028, 8 February 1935, Page 7

DO FIRES BRING RAIN.

To the Editor ol " The nmaru Herald ” Sir,—ln answer to your correspondent, “Dry” I must state that fires have approximately the same effect in P ro " ducing rain which flag-waving and cheering had in winning the war. Victory, in any cause, usually goes to those who are heartened to look for it with confidence and faith that their side will ultimately gain the day. In my letter of May 16, 1933, published in “The Timaru Herald,” I pointed out that Christchurch recorded a raimall of 5.13 inches to date, compared with the fearfully low record of 3.90 inches for Timaru. Christchurch, with over an inch of rain per month, was obviously better off than Timaru, therefore. I suggested bon-fires throughout South Canterbury, at 7 p.m. on Saturday May 20, as signals of co-operation among settlers, and re-inforcements in the general desire to rout the drought. They asked for refreshing rains, not a deluge. The result was that rain commenced on May 23 and fell on 13 days to June 7, giving an increase of 2.32 inches. The heaviest fall being .66in on June 4th. In this case, it took fully three days to obtain the rain asked for. This could probably be attributed to the stubbornness of the drought and the opposition of the minority who hate changes in the weather. It gives them such a headache. North Canterbury, being sceptic in these matters, did not perceptibly participate in these beneficial rains, with the result that, instead of leading at the year’s end as usual, Christchurch recorded an inch less than Timaru. There is a probability of rain locally about the 13th or 14th inst, but there is also a powerful factor against much rain this month in the fact that _ the children are having half-time holiday and consequently do not expect rain. If parents and teachers could persuade them to expect rain next week; to visualise a serviceable downpour with a probable soaking of boots and clothing, the drought problem would be solved. Probably a week or two later, when teachers really desire rain for personal requirements they may covenant with the children to look for ram instead of fair weather. We have got so deep in the rut of delightful weather for the holidays, that it is becoming a r- - difficult and to some of us, a painful matter to get out of, and as “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so,” we simply received what we ask for. If we ignorantly press the wrong button, we invariably get the wrong answer. I should like to induce the residents of South Canterbury and all those interested in weather problems, to direct their thoughts in harmonious channels so that harmonious conditions may prevail. It may be premature to suggest immediate organisation for this purpose. We do not like those who unmask our illusions, and much less do we like to assist in the unmasking, therefore, another lesson or two, bringing further misery and loss to the community may be needed to cause full repentance. “Where two or three are gathered together in the name of truth” many mighty deeds are accomplished.—l am, etc., C. H. MASON. Timaru, February 7. THE WAY TO PEACE To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald ” Sir, —You will no doubt have noticed that Cato’s oft-quoted “Delenda est Carthago” may be suitably paralleled to-day in "Germany must be crushed.”—“Touchstone.” To talk of crushing for ever an exceptionally virile nation with some 65 millions seems to me to be the vapouring of a fevered brain, especially when one remembers that the population of Great Britain is only about two-thirds of this figure. Does "Touchstone” ever speculate as to what the world might lose by the crushing of this great nation? It would be a far greater loss than was even the destruction of Carthage. A friend of mine who lived in Germany for several years, assures me that the large majority of Germans are far more cultured and kindly than the majority of New Zealanders. I would ask “Touchstone” if his knowledge of Germans is acquired through the actual experience of living in Germany, or through a few isolated cases of meeting Germans for whom he has developed a most un-Christian hatred. If “Touchstone” wishes to work up a hatred for a few despicable characters, why go to Germany for his victims? Your correspondent “New Commonwealth” (so loathed by "Touchstone”! has put forward some very sound arguments in favour of the establishment of some international force which would be empowered to prevent Sovereign States from living in a constant state of anarchy and making war at will. Some such plan was put forward I believe by the French Government a few years ago. Such a scheme, if put into effect, would give France the security she demands while on the other hand it would give Germany equality, and at the same time enable her to throw off the inferiority complex which the “Touchstones" of the world are trying to force on her, and from which the only escape seems to be through militarism. "Touchstone” will probably say that an international force is merely a dream and that it is for “New Commonwealth” to show how it may be worked. Certainly I, and probably many others, should like to hear some more of “New Commonwealth’s” plan; but according to the cable news of the past few days it looks as though some sort of international force is likely very soon to become an actual fact.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY. Timaru, February 7.