President Wants To Be Protector Of Liberty

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31196, 21 October 1966, Page 3

President Wants To Be Protector Of Liberty

f.Xetr Zealand Press Association! WELLINGTON, October 20. President Johnson told the State luncheon in Wellington today that he was willing to accept “any reasonable proposition,” to consider any proposal which ally or adversary might make to end the Vietnam war. After referring to the quest for freedom and liberty, he said, “I want to be the protector of it, not just for myself but for mankind.”

The President was given a standing ovation after he concluded with the words: “We are very proud New Zealand is our friend, and we are proud to say we are hers.”

Earlier. President Johnson said of the Korean conflict: “We were determined, in the ; words of the United Nations j Charter, ‘to save succeeding ! generations from the scourge | of war.’ Together with the iarmy of the Republic of | Korea and other brave allies, !we turned back the invaders, land made it possible for the ! people of the Republic of ! Korea to work out their des- ! tiny in freedom. “Today they are proud allies in another nation’s struggle to be free —in South ! Vietnam. ‘Decent Voice’ | “You were a valiant part i of that war effort, and yours has been a clear and decent voice in the councils of peace. New Zealand has contributed to the United Nations—both in diplomatic efforts and in programmes of assistance to humanity—to a degree that has inspired the admiration of the world. . . . “For hundreds of millions of Asians, the most common terrorism is not that of guns and grenades. It is that of hunger, of disease, of poverty, of illiteracy. These are as capable of crushing the hopes

of many as any ruthless enemy.

“Much of this war in Asia remains to be fought. You have played an honourable part in helping your neighbours, especially in the Pacific Islands, fight the war against want. And we in the United States have been your allies in this struggle, as on the military battlefields of the past. We have worked to help the people of Asia delay, and finally halt, the mareh of hunger and disease. “But if we in the developed nations were to try to accomplish this alone, with only our resources, we—and Asia —would surely fail. “Fortunately, we are not alone. Asia is blessed with men and women whose determination is as strong as their countries’ needs. Throughout this vast area of the globe, the planners and the builders are at work. The key to Asian peace in coming generations is in Asian hands. “For it is Asia’s initiative that will found the institutions of progress. “It is Asia’s example that will inspire its people to build on the bedrock of social justice.

“It is Asia’s dream that will determine the future of three of every five human beings on earth.

And I know that your nation and mine will respond to that dream willingly and generously. “Yet all our efforts—all the planning, all the devotion, all the resources free nations are able to commit to Asia can be demoralised if the terrorist and the aggressor succeed in dominating her ptople. “It is difficult to grow crops, to irrigate fields, to operate schools, to care for the old, to levy taxes, and provide for the people’s needs in a climate of terror. The terrorist knows that ii he can break down this fabic of community life, he is on the way to conquest. . . . “It is tragic that this war, this war of terror and bloodshed must be fought before Asia can be fully free to wage the other war—against hunger and disease. It is tragic that every foot of ground on which rice might be planted, every village in which a school might be built, every hillside on which a hospital might rise to heal the people of Vietnam, must be secured against terror. “Yet it must, for free men, for responsible men, for men of conscience, there is no acceptable alternative but to resist this aggression.” Historic Occasion The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said at the luncheon: “Today is an historic occasion for New Zealand and for our relations with the United States of America. For the first time in our history we have the great honour, and pleasure, of welcoming to our shores the President of the United States of America. We are also delighted that Mrs Johnson was able to accompany the President on this visit. . . . “There is not a corner of the world today which is not, in some way, aware of the

American ; resence and affected by it. “I am speaking of the American contribution to the protection and preservation of the free world. I am speaking of your dramatic generosity in assisting others in their economic and social development.

“Who can forget the work you have accomplished in support of peace through N.A.T.0., 5.E.A.T.0., A.N.Z.U.S. and other alliances?

“Who can forget the long record of munificence extending through the Marshall Plan, the Colombo Plan, the Alliance for Progress, and the countless other United States programmes of aid? . . . “Our relationship with the United States is one in which the judgment of each partner is respected and the opinions and circumstances of each are understood and considered. ‘N.Z. Felt Free’

“There have been occasions Where our viewpoints have differed and New Zealand has. of course, felt free to exercise its own independent view. These occasions have been infrequent because on most basic and essential issues New Zealand’s interest and policies accord naturally with the policies of the United States. “On many occasions we have been engaged together in the defence of freedom. Today we are so engaged in Vietnam. I do not believe that there is room anywhere for isolation or indifference towards such crises. We are all affected by aggression.”

‘Friendship Remains’

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said that a measure of the mutual understanding between the United States and New Zealand was that although there was not always unanimity, friendship remained. “That is the essence of democracy,” he said. Mr Kirk said: “Though all our people may not always agree with all that is done or proclaimed, I can unhesitatingly affirm that all will wholeheartedly support your quest for peace.”