N.Z. VISIT BY KENNEDY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 20

N.Z. VISIT BY KENNEDY

“Invitation Still

Open"

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright 1 WASHINGTON. May 24

The invitation for President Kennedy to visit New Zealand remained open, the newly-appointed New Zealand Ambassador (Mr G. R. Lakingt said today, when he spoke to reporters after presenting his credentials to Mr Kennedy.

Mr Laking said he had not specifically renewed the invitation. because the White House ceremony had not been the occasion for it. But. he said, he knew his Government would be very happy to receive President Kennedy at any time the President wished to come. Mr Laking told President Kennedy that New Zealand and the United States were linked "in partnership and unitv of purpose."

"Our differences are few, our affinities many." he said. New Zealand and the United States had pledged, along with other allies, to stand firm against any threat to freedom in the South-east Asian and Pacific area The ambassador, whn came tn Washington from the post of Acting-High Commissioner in London, also presented to the President the letters of recall of his predecessor. Sir Leslie Munro. New Zealand had long enjoyed the free world's admiration. President Kennedy told Mr Laking. President Kennedy told Mr Laking that New Zealand "through its pioneer activities in the field of human welfare, has long served as a model upon which many other nations—including my own—have often drawn. "We have shared the enriching adventure of settlement in a remote and virgin land." the President said. “We have long shared an abiding respect for the rights of the individual citizen, and an increasing interest in his welfare.”