SAFETY OF CLIMBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20958, 22 August 1931, Page 14

SAFETY OF CLIMBERS.

LICENSED GUIDES WANTED. PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS. GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED. If the legislation suggested by (lie Federation of Mountain Clubs for the licensing of alpine guides i» not introduced in Parliament this session the Government should bo held responsible in a measure for the occurrence of any more climbing accidents, in the opinion of Mr. A. P. Harper, president of the New Zealand Alpine Club for 16 years. For the past five or six years Mr. Harper lias been seeking to bring a system of licensed guides into operation. He refers to the many recent mountaineering tragedies and accidents brought about frequently through inexperience and carelessness. As the season begins in November it is considered that all the more reason exists for action by the Government, It is asserted that every guide in New Zealand supports the movement, Mr. Ilarper contends that legislation is imperative. Ho says tourists are invited by the Government to visit the mountain regions and receive protection while travelling and in accommodation houses. Yet this protection ceases as soon as the visitors leave the mountain resorts to undertake climbs. Risks are run by young people and there should be no encouragement for them. As it is, alpine and tramping clubs have been endeavouring to institute some form of supervision over mountain climbing. Minister's Promise of Legislation. After the formation of the Federation of Mountain Clubs at Wellington about a year ago one of the first subjects to receive serious attention was the question of licences. In September, 1930, the Minister in Charge of Tourist Resorts called a conference to discuss the question of guides and there was a full attendance of representatives of clubs, park boards, tourist organisations, members of Parliament and prominent guides, Mr. Harper explained his proposals and there was a unanimous resolution that it should be illegal for any person to guide for payment without a licence, or for anyone to employ such a guide. Last May a sub-committee adoj)ted the licensing proposal and the Minister gave an assurance that legislation to set up a board to licence guides would be introduced this session. At present there is some doubt about the passage of the legislation. It is pointed out that the attraction of mountaineering has grown enormously and the number of climbers has similarly increased. Enterprise of Dunedin Club. The members of the New Zealand Alpine Club, the original organisation of its kind in the Dominion, are experienced climbers. Before a person can be admitted to membership it is necessary to qualify in mountaineering ability, scientific work, botany or geology. Considerable assistance is given by the members to young enthusiasts. An unusual departure is to be attempted bv the Dunedin section of the club next Christmas. Several young mountaineers are organising a camp in the Mount Aspiring district, between Lake Wanaka and the Tasman Sea, and members of the club are to accompany them to give instruction in nil alpine activities. Beneficial results are expected from experiments of this kind. The proposed licensing board is to consist of two qualified and two amateur guides, to act on the recommendation of a chief guide. It is proposed to issue licences in three classes, though guides in the two lower divisions would have the opportunity of accompanying firstclass men on the more difficult climbs in order to gain experience.