Crater access idea 'silly and dangerous'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 643, 2 July 1996, Page 4

Crater access idea 'silly and dangerous'

• I am disappointed with your editorial attitude by having Don Allomes' harebrained statement saying that "DoC had to relax rules about access to the crater for oversnow vehicle and helicopter rides for sightseeing trips" promoted on your front page. This statement is not only silly but also very dangerous but most of all it represents the true philosophy behind the fagade of certain tourist operations — to make money, money, money at all cost and consequences. DoC is still smarting from the Cave Creek disaster and* could do without the pressure from your front page article. You did not publish my letter (editor' s note: see above) . Yetcompared with Don Allomes' statement, my suggestion is sane and readers can take it how they choose. As for tourist operators — it's obvious — they don't care as long as. they can make money, money, money. By not publishing my letter, I know that you know which side your bread is buttered and therefore your editorial responsibility is somewhat 'flexible'. Siegfried Bauer EDITOR REPLIES: There was only one reason that your letter was held over for publication until this issue and that was due to space restrictions in last week's Bulletin. Your guesses as to why it did not appear then are completely incorrect. Your statement that we 'promoted' Mr Allomes' views is silly. It should be obvious to you that reporting comments made in public is not the same as promoting them. You, Mr Bauer, have shown that you have no idea "which side (of) our bread is buttered". We do not choose what to publish and what not to publish on such a basis and for you to suggest that we do is spurious.