PRESIDENT JOHNSON SHUNS SECURITY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 1

PRESIDENT JOHNSON SHUNS SECURITY

Informality Dominant At Wellington Welcome (New Zealand Press Association f WELLINGTON, October 19. President Johnson warmed the hearts of thousands of people who turned out to greet him on his arrival in New Zealand this afternoon by his complete disregard for planned security measures.

Ignoring demonstrations, he broke through security cordons and shook hands with scores of children and spectators who crowded against barricades at the R.N.Z.A.F. base at Ohakea and Wellington Airport. ,z-

Slowly, he strolled along the barricades smiling, shaking hands and acknowledging greetings.

Thousands turned out in driving rain at Ohakea to watch the arrival of the first American President to visit New Zealand, and thousands were at Wellington Airport to watch the official welcoming ceremony.

Demonstrations at Wellington Airport failed to mar the President’s arrival and a demonstration by several hundred members of the Committee on Vietnam outside Government House made no noticeable impact.

Mr Johnson's impromptu stops to mingle with welcoming crowds'did not end at the airport.

To the delight of spectators and the consternation of security forces, the President’s bullet-proof car stopped 50 yards outside the tarmac gate at the airport and Mr Johnson got out to be mobbed by the jubilant crowd. Well behind schedule for his arrival at Government House by this stage, the motorcade again came to a halt on the Marine drive and crowds swarmed about it. Attempts to hold back crowds lining the route failed, and the President climbed on to the running-board of his car to shake hands.

In downtown Wellington, the car stopped once more to allow Mr Johnson to climb on the running board and shake hands. Climbed On Roof One young man climbed on to the roof of the car in an attempt to reach the President. Mr Johnson made history when his Boeing 707 landed at Ohakea at 4.28 p.m. He was the first United States President to visit New Zealand. But the President, on a long-cherished sentimental journey, recalled that New Zealand became a home from home to him during the war years.

He told crowds at Wellington airport: “I became one of thousands of Americans who received your hospitality and care during those dangerous years. You took our boys into your homes and cared for the sick and wounded among us. You gave us, when

we needed it most, a home away from home.” Mr Johnson said that after 4650 miles of flying over water “we feel as if we have found the promised land.” The miles that separate us shrink into insignificance,” he said. “What is important is that your nation and ours, though in the chronology of historical times, have come of age in much the same way —have drawn much the same conclusions from the chaotic experience of this century—and look to the future with much the seme hopes and apprehensions.” Speaking of assistance to Samoa, Mr Johnson said in Wellington and Washington it was understood that affluent nations had responsibilities toward those whose development was only beginning. The President—as a patient in a military hospital in Fiji in 1942—was cared for by New Zealand doctors and nurses. Mr Johnson’s arrival at Ohakea—dogged by overcast skies and driving rain—did not deter official ceremonies, including a full-blooded Maori welcome and a welcoming speech by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake). “The President was as tired as could be expected after his long journey, but it was apparent he was genuinely excited to be in New Zealand, and moved by his reception at Ohakea,” Mr Holyoake told the Wellington reporter of “The Press.” Met By Governor Mr Johnson set the pattern for his spontaneous hand-shaking with spectators at Ohakea, and an R.N.Z.A.F. DC6 waiting to take the pre-

sidential party to Wellington was delayed 10 minutes. Wellington airport was bathed in sunlight as' the President stepped on to the tarmac to be greeted by the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson). A guard of honour was provided by the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and a 21-gun salute was fired by the Royal New Zealand Ar-

tillery as R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft flew overhead.

The President’s only official engagement tonight was a reception and dinner at Government House. The Government House dinner began with toheroa soup, followed by prime fillet steak with vegetables, a chocolate sweet, and scallops.

Wines included a New Zealand still white wine.

The Governor-General proposed “the President of the United States” and Mr Johnson proposed a toast to “Her Majesty the Queen.” In a brief speech, Sir Bernard Fergusson spoke of the pleasure it was to welcome the President and Mrs Johnson to New Zealand.

In reply, the President referred to the “delightful afternoon.”

He spoke of the friendship, the understanding and the partnership between the two countries. The peoples of the two countries had much in common, and their interests in the world were very much along the same line. “We want peace instead of war,” he said.

Reception Some 309 guests, including Cabinet Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps and leading members of the military and Judiciary later attended the reception for the President and Mrs Johnson.' The blue and white main ballroom at Government House was decorated with masses of rhododendrons and azaleas. A roll of drums marked the entrance of the President and Mrs Johnson and the Gover-nor-General and Lady Fergusson, shortly before 9 p.m. After the playing of “The Star-spangled Banner” and the National Anthem, the President and Mrs Johnson mingled informally with the guests. Mrs Johnson wore a simple white crepe gown, with a jacket glittering with silver thread, rhinestones and pearls and decorated with white embroidered flowers. She wore white kid gloves, but no jewellery.

President and Mrs Johnson are unlikely to see Wellington at its sunniest best tomorrow. According to the forecast Wellington’s weather will be fine at first with light variable winds, but with fresh to strong southerlies developing in the early morning bringing cold showery weather. Winds will decrease later and the showers clear. Similar conditions are predicted in the Manawatu.