President Given Rousing Farewell At Ohakea

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31196, 21 October 1966, Page 1

President Given Rousing Farewell At Ohakea

(New Zealand Press Association > OHAKEA, October 20. An enthusiastic crowd of about 1200 bade President Johnson a rousing farewell at the end of his 24-hour visit to New Zealand this afternoon. When the President arrived at Ohakea Air Base 20 minutes behind schedule elaborate precautions had been taken to whisk him straight into his waiting plane.

But the President himself wrecked the well-laid plan by plunging straight into the crowd. The President walked briskly along the line of outstretched hands pumping every hand he could reach.

“What the hell can you do with him,” complained a senior American security official to a New Zealand counterpart.

After a hectic five minutes the group of security men managed to persuade the President it was time to leave. The President was almost hustled back to the plane where Mrs Johnson, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and Mrs Hoiyoake, and the official farewell party were waiting. A quick last handshake from Mr Hoiyoake, a kiss for Mrs Hoiyoake, and the President and Mrs Johnson walked up the steps to their plane. The crowd cheered as the

R.N.Z.A.F. band played “Now Is The Hour,” and with a last wave of the hand, the President disappeared into the Presidential jet Air Force One. The plane eventually left half an hour late at 5 p.m. on its three-hour 1300-mile trip to Australia. Subdued Farewell The enthusiasm of the farewell at Ohakea contrasted sharply with a subdued farewell from Wellington Airport this afternoon. About 1500 spectators, mostly schoolchildren, lined the tarmac fence and clustered on all available vantage

points as the Presidential couple arrived at the airport at 3.45 p.m. an hour and 10 minutes behind schedule. There were a few isolated cheers and handclaps as the big black Lincoln Continental swept on to the tarmac area, followed closely by the everpresent security men. Direct Contrast

However, the farewell from the capital was in direct contrast to the tumultuous State drive through Wellington early in the day. The President and Mrs Johnson moved from their car and were bidden farewell by Sir Francis Kitts and Lady Kitts, the chairman of the Wellington City Council airport committee (Mr S. H. J. Duff) and Mrs Duff and the Town Clerk (Mr F. W. Pringle). Surrounded by reporters

and television cameramen, the Presidential couple moved to the R.N.Z.A.F. DC6, pausing for a few moments on the steps.

They could be seen waving to the crowds as the aircraft moved off, on its way to Ohakea and Canberra. The Presidential aircraft was due to be followed shortly by an R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules, two N.A.C. DC3s and a Viscount, all carrying reporters to Ohakea. The Starlifter which flew to Wellington Airport direct from Manila earlier today, was believed to be travelling direct to Hickam Field, Hawaii.

United States and New Zealand officials refused to name its cargo, if any. The President’s bullet-proof car is being driven to Ohakea where it will be taken by another Starlifter to Australia.