THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1927. THE SOUTHERN ALPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20283, 16 December 1927, Page 10

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1927. THE SOUTHERN ALPS.

The Secretary of State for the Dominions has, upon his own evidence, had a thoroughly enjoyable and exhilarating experience among the Southern Alps. If the manner of his holiday-making has been more strenuous than restful, it will have, had the merit of providing a very complete and bracing change of scene and occupation. It is possible that no part of his tour will remain a more refreshing memory to Mr Amery than his adventures among the great mountain solitudes and magnificent panoramas of the Mount Cook region. Mr Amery’s impressions—and he speaks with considerable experience—richly endorse what others well qualified f o judge have said respecting the quality of this country’s alpine attractions. It is gratifying to have his assurance that both from the point of view of scenery and as a field for mountain sport the New Zealand Alps can hold their own with those of Switzerland or with the Rockies, and to note his statement that for snow and ice-craft of the first order for ski-ing and for skimountaineering the opportunities in New Zealand seem to him to be quite unequalled.” Mr Amery has spoken, indeed, in such handsomely eulogistic terms respecting the Mount Cook district that it is only reasonable to anticipate that such praise from such a source may be of material assistance in making New Zealand better known throughout the tourist world. His comments in general only go to emphasise the fact that so far not much has been done to develop the remarkable asset which the Dominion possesses in its alpine country. He points out that the wonderful attraction which this country offers to New Zealanders themselves seems to have been hardly realised. The justice of this observation must be conceded. When all is -said, New Zealanders should hardly expect from tourists from other lands a greater appreciation of the alpine scenery of their country than they have thought fit to display themselves. As a people we may well feel indebted to Mr Amery for inviting us to give more attention, from what we may call a domestic aspect, to the need of developing to greater purpose the possibilities of our great alpine resorts. No doubt were the Southern Alps to become, as he suggests, in reasonable measure a playground and training ground for the people of New Zealand, even ns the Alps of Switzerland are for the people of that country, it would be to the physical benefit of the nation, while the example and the increased facilities for climbing that would follow would also have their effect in attracting tourists in greater numbers. Mr Amory’s practical mind has been quick to grasp what is needed if the Southern Alps are to be popularised first among New Zealanders themselves as a region offering strong attractions to the sportsman, the mountaineer, and the holidaymaker. His advice involves no elaborate method of exploitation but points to such essentials as the provision of an adequate supply of mountaineering huts and the creation of a sufficient body of really competent professional guides. No doubt the satisfaction of these requirements would represent steps of great practical importance in turning to account a region which, while every allowance is made for the remarkable variety of the scenic attractions in other parts of New Zealand, unquestionably stands out as an asset with splendid possibilities that yet await development.