NEED FOR CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 290, 3 September 1931, Page 11

NEED FOR CONTROL

Legislation Sought LICENSING OF GUIDES Prime Minister Approves The need for legislation to control alpine climbing was stressed by a deputation from the New Zealand Alpine Club and the Federation of Mountain Clubs which waited upon the Prime -Minister. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, yesterday morning. Mr. Forbes said he recognised there would have to be more control to pre vent people wandering up and over the mountain sides and getting lost. He would do his best to see that a Bill providing for a system of licensing alpine guides was introduced this session. The deputation was introduced by Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P. for Temuka, who said that he was satisfied it was unsafe for so many people to be at large on the mountains without proper safeguards being laid down. The president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, Mr. A. P. Harper, pointed out that as long ago as 1922 he had t-rged the framing of regulations to ensure that no person should be employed as an alpine guide who was not fully qualified, and that before any alpine resort was leased to a private company it was necessary that some control should be maintained over the employment of suitable persons as guides above the snow line. He had also submitted to the Government a detailed proposal based on the practice in Switzerland for 50 years, but no action had been taken. Conference Recommendations. Last year the Minister of Tourist Resorts had convened a conference of interested parties at which unanimous resolutions were carrieed. Urging the licensing and control of guides and the setting up of a licensing board consisting of a representative of the department, a nominee of the New Zealand Alpine Club, a nominee of the federated clubs, and two first-class professional guides. A general scheme was drawn up and approved and legislation to place the scheme into operation was to have been put forward this session. He had been informed, however, that it was unlikely action would be taken this session, because certain machinery clauses for internal matters in the department were to be included in the legislation. Unless jsuch a scheme were put into operation before next season they would run the risk of grave accidents, Mr. Harper said. In all work above the snow line a little knowledge was a dangerous thing. It required years of experience to master what was highly skilled work, yet young men had been employed as guides who had no qualification whatever. Powers of Board. ■ . ■ ) Mr. Harper said that in view of the happening at Ruapehu be thought the board should be given wider powers to include supervision over the ’ efficiency of guiding staffs at the various centres. “The board.” he added,-“will consist of two amateur and two professional experts, so it can be trusted not to insist on unworkable conditions. I venture to urge that the necessary short legislation be put through this session. All climbers and every professional guide ask for this scheme. If further accidents occur owing to the present utter want of system the responsibility must be with the Government, because we can do no more than we have done to obtain reforms.” Mr. F. W. Vosseler advocated that it be made illegal for any person to act as guide for payment or for anybody to employ a man as guide unless the guide was licensed. Mr. Forbes: Suppose a party say they don’t want a guide? Mr. Harper said that they would have to take their own risk, but the chief guide would be responsible for seeing that they were properly clothed and that they were advised before setting out. “Must Have More Control." “I recognise,” replied Mr. Forbes, “that the matter requires attention and -I will confer with the ’Minister of Internal Affairs and see how,far the proposed legislation has been prepared. I will do my best to see that the Bill is brought before Parliament as soon as possible this session, It may be possible to, bring it down in the next few days. At the present time, when people’s minds are exercised by what has occurred in the last few days at Ruapehu, the necessity for something to be done is apparent. We must have more control over people wandering up the mountain sides and getting lost, causing danger to the lives of other people and expense in finding them. It seems to be a very haphazard business. The occurrence on Mount Ruapehu had the makings of a firstclass tragedy.”