Weather Control

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 6

Weather Control

(To the Editor.) Sir —Two letters appeared in your issue of the 13th inst. under the heudjn<r of “The Weather,” commenting on ‘my suggestions for improving the conditions generally. They do not demand and reply from me except my thanks as indicates that some of your readers are really interested in the problem of weather control. I am thereby encouraged in my efforts and assure them that having put my hand to the plough £ will not stop to catch a mouse. In the same issue you publish the river gauge, 2ft. 6in. This is well below the average for December and January records, and is probably a more reliable indication of a return to normal conditions than could possibly be obtained from available rainfall records which, apparently, are rarely published. A friend, commenting on my ideas of weather coutrol, says: “If it be possible to control the weather to the extent of getting rid of its most objectionable features —its frequent excesses and abnormal conditions —it will prove to be one of the greatest epoch making events in history, but I candidly fail to see how it can possibly be done.” So far no one has attempted.to show that it is impossible. This, in effect, admits the possibility but needs en lightenmeut as to method. If we turn to the creation of man, Genesjs 1, 26, God says: “Let them have dominion (control) over all the earth.” This clearly implies man’s rule or control over all matter of which the earth is composed. Science not only admits, but it is also a generally accepted law, that to denude a big tract of land of its bush or trees, the annual rainfall in that particular district immediately diminishes. Then if we restore the bush by replanting, the supply of rain is simultaneously restored. W T e have no means of increasing the demand, but the law is that all supply is ruled in exuct proportion to the demand. Trees and vegetation flourish only under copious rains. They demand rain and sunshine but because they obtain accordingly it does not follow that a tree has more intelligence than the feeblest human mind! Doubtless there is a unanimity in a forest of pine trees in demanding needful moisture —a most potent factor which would, at the iiresent day, be almost impossible to obtain in a large gathering of the human species. Some peojile are averse to prayers for weather control yet constantly adhere to the formula: “Give us this day our daily bread,” as if food and shelter in nowise depended on the supply of sunshine or rain. This is not so narrow as the old man’s prayer: “God bless me and my wife, my son John and his wife, us four and no more, Amen.” But the broadening of our concept of Christ’s teachings, so as to supply our every need, is a most desirable consummation. Our desires or prayers to be effective must be less theoretical and more practical. If we desire a fine week-end we must expect to obtain it and also encourage others to do so. The objective is the benefit of the community, there fore unless the community in a particular district express a general desire for the attainmeut of this object, success cau only be meagre and disappointing. I have noticed that the settlers in i. particular district do not take long to manifest excellent control over their atmospheric conditions after they have realised the necessity of trying to do so, but they are still subject to the tail ends of their neighbouring districts' storms and disturbances. A disturbance may also be so devastating, like the Napier earthquake of 1931, that the State is called upon to assist the distressed. No district can hope to have its fling without having to pay the piper sooner or later. A surfeit in undesirable conditions causes one to long for something better, so that a touch of wintry weather during February, especially if it causes inconvenience or financial loss, may cause some of your many readers to at least consider the slogan: “Fair week-ends and rain midweekly” for this district, although they may not readily grasp the enormous potential advantages it holds for personal comfort, and enormously in creased profits, to the man on the land and his dependents. There are certain topographical features particular to the province with which I am not yet familiar. These may contain difficulties which must be overcome. We do not dam a stream with intent to obliterate it, but to harness it and make it serve our requirements. It too frequently occurs that a condition is fought against for years as a nuisance, then proved to be an overlooked asset of much value. Wo unconsciously get into a rut of discomfort yet a friendly hand, if we accept it, may lead us out without tho stf.ere mental wrench which seemed inevitable. Occasionally we taste ideal conditions, then we permit our equanimity to be disturbed and the weather follows suit. My mission is to prove that our troubles, especially weather conditions, are products of our own thoughts. However, I can do so only with the co-oper-ation and manifest desire of settlers 1o observe the golden rule. Is it a deal? —I am, etc., C. H. MASON.