Bustle For The President

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31188, 12 October 1966, Page 17

Bustle For The President

ov.z. Press Assn.—copyright) berra, Melbourne and Syd-

CANBERRA, Oct. 11. Thousands of Australians, from minor civil servants to the Prime Minister, are bustling through a hectic fortnight preparing for three days —October 20 to 22 when President Johnson visits Australia.

Committees on all levels have sprung up like green shoots at the end of an “outback” drought. Canberra has already seen a flying visit by the Presidential press secretary, Mr Bill Moyers, and a regiment of White House aides and secret servicemen, who dropped in from New Zealand, spent the day huddled with Australian officials over Mr Johnson’s itinerary, then took off for Manila.

Early today, a U.S.A.F. Starlifter landed here with a load of stores and special equipment believed to include communications gear to keep President Johnson in touch with the White House during his stay. American and Australian security men have begun the biggest security operation yet undertaken in Australia.

They are checking and rechecking the routes the President will take through Can-

ney. They are looking through every room Mr Johnson will use and every building he will pass. The President’s special bulletproof car is being flown to Australia for the visit. Australians have seen noth-

ing like it before, even for Royal visits. “After all, the Queen can’t press a button to drop the bomb,” said one Australian official.

Demonstrations against United States policy in Vietnam are planned by a num-

ber of peace groups during Mr Johnson’s stay. The demonstrations, supported by some elements of the Australian Labour Party, will be “peaceful,” the organisers have promised. NO BODYGUARD

Mrs Johnson’s social secretary, Mrs Marta Ross, will look after her arrangements. She told reporters: “As you know, Mrs Johnson is chairman of the committee for a more beautiful capital, which she formed in Washington last year, and she wants to see as much of your capital as she can.”

It is a far cry from Mr Johnson’s first visit to Australia in 1942 when, as a 34-year-old lieutenant - commander in the United States Navy, he could stroll the streets without a bodyguard and bothered only by small boys seeking chewing gum.