Asked Not To Demonstrate

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31188, 12 October 1966, Page 3

Asked Not To Demonstrate

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 11. The Prime Minister (Mr Holj’oake) today appealed to the Committee on Vietnam to “refrain from demonstrating” during President Johnson’s visit to New Zealand next week. “However much the Committee on Vietnam is opposed to American policies in Vietnam, I sincerely hope its members refrain from demonstrating on this occasion,” he said. Mr Holyoake was commenting on a statement by the : committee’s chairman, Mr Barry Mitcaife, that the com- i mittee would stage two mass anti-Vietnam demonstrations • during th e Presidential visit. 1 “We are an orderly people i and I have no doubt that i members of the committee have every intention of dem- I onstrating in an orderly fash- 1

ion as Mr Mitcaife stated,” said Mr Holyoake. “Nevertheless, President Johnson will be our guest and should be afforded the courtesy and respect we would normally extend to the head of state of a country with which we have the friendliest ties.” Mr Holyoake described as nonsense Mr Mitcalfe’s suggestions that President Johnson’s visit was to bolster support for the coming elections in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and that he was akin to Emperor Nero visiting far-flung Gaul or Britain. Mr Holyoake said the New Zealand Government would bear the cost of accommodation and transport within New Zealand of the official United States Presidential party when President Johnson arrives next week. “This is the normal procedure,” he said. The accommodation and transport costs incurred by the large press and broadcasting contingent will not be met by the Government. The former inter-island ferry Hinemoa will definitely be used as a floating hotel for

journalists during the Presidential visit.

The general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, Mr A. T. Waugh, said that the United States Embassy had approved the temporary commissioning of the 6911-ton vessel.

Seaman began heating the Hinemoa’s boilers this morning preparatory to raising steam tomorrow.

First guests are expected to board the ship tonight. Meals will not be provided on the Hinemoa but refreshments will be available. About 60 members of the Cooks and Stewards Union will staff the ship. Use Of Car

No plans have been made for President Johnson to commute between Government House and Parliament Buildings by helicopter during his Wellington visit. It is expected he will be driven through the capital city in a Rolls Royce last used during the Queen Mother’s recent New Zealand tour.

Mr Holyoake said today he still hoped the House of Representatives would recess on the target date of October 21. Parking in Wellington is already under pressure be-

cause of the President’s visit. Motorists are being kept away from parking places near the building that houses the American Embassy so that the ever-growing fleet of cars carrying people in connexion with the President’s visit can park close by.

A number of taxis and their drivers have been “seconded” and now have the legend “official American Embassy vehicle” where their taxi sign usually is. Eight metered spaces in one street adjacent to the building have been “hooded off” for the duration. A member of the City Council Traffic Department’s staff was busy today keeping a 30-minute unmetered spot reserved for official cars. The motorists who are able to find places in one of the few free all-day parking areas in the city, on the wharf side of Jervois quay opposite the Embassy tonight received little notices on their windscreens that parking would be prohibited there until October 21. This area is alongside a large area already permanently reserved for cars of the diplomatic corps.