Robert Muldoon

The decision to prevent seven deaf Japanese climbers from tackling Mount Cook had set a dangerous precedent, although many people would think it was the right thing to do.

Avalanche-free mudpools and geysers have replaced snow and ice for the seven deaf-mute Japanese climbers pulled off Mt Cook on Friday.

The New Zealand mountaineer who conquered Mt Everest 30 years ago, Sir Edmund Hillary, has criticised the decision of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, to remove deaf Japanese climbers from Mt Cook.

The Government would have to consider regulations covering climbing if the mountaineering community makes an issue out of his action in evacuating seven Japanese climbers from Mt Cook, the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, indicated today.

Seven deaf and mute Japanese climbers are angry at newly knighted Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, ordering them down from Mt Cook yesterday, says a leading mountain guide.

What right did Robert Muldoon have to order seven deaf Japanese climbers off Mt Cook? Will his action mean that in future any climber will need prime ministerial sanction before he or she can proceed?