ALPINE SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 12

ALPINE SPORTS.

FEDERATION OF CLUBS.

SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS. DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES. tBY TELEGIIAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Friday. A federation ot alpine, tramping, ski ami winter sports clubs was formed in Wellington to-day. as a result of a conference convened by tho New Zealand Alpino Club, the object being to present a united front on various matters of importance and to dovelop facilities for enabling New Zoalanders to enjoy their rich heritage 01 scenic wonders. Mr. A. P. Harpei, president of tho NewZealand Alpino Club, who presided, pointed out tnat there was a common factor behind all these movements, and urged that there should bo some scheme by which they could speak with one voice on all matters which affected this common factor. There had been a marked growth of clubs whose objective was outdoor activities in tho mountainous districts and especially in the direction of winter sports. "While all this had been developing among our young people," continued Mr. Harper, "tho Government had also moved with the times and declared national parks, provided certain facilities to open up mountain districts, and made special efforts to attract New Zealanders and outside visitors to our mountain districts."

All these things had grown with no settled plan, and on no definite lines. Consequently, they now found many problems arising, which required supervision and organisation, yet the people most interested were divided into separate bodies and there was no way in which they could speak effectively with one voice. Mr. Harper tlion outlined a few of the mutters requiring attention, such as the licensing of guides. "The present want of system is scandalous," he said. The question of representation of clubs on national park boards should bo considered, also tho use of huts which, built by public money, were now placed out of the reach of the man who wished to camp by reason of prohibitive charges. There was also tho question of whether national parks should bo handed over to private mon opoly. Competitive private enterprise was sound, but monopoly tended to place the finest resorts out of reach of the man«with a small purse. Mr. Harper then explained the draft constitution proposed by the New Zealand Alpine Club.

After much discussion a constitution was adopted and the following committee was set up to carry on until the first gen eral meeting:—Messrs. A. P. Harper, D. R. Haggard, C. J. Thornton, S. A. Wiren, J. H. tfilson, L. 0. Hooker, R. C. Murie and T. G. Mace (acting-secretary). The conference passed a unanimous resolution that it strongly supported Mr. Harper in his endeavour to procure some regulation to provide for the licensing of alpine guides as an essential safeguard in the interests of all climbers, and requested him to hand this resolution to the conference called by tho Government on the guide question.