GENERAL LEAVES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 16

GENERAL LEAVES

Presentation To P.M.

fN.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 18. A mutual friendship between the United States and New Zealand, developed during the war and maintained during the years after, was the reason for his visit to this country, said General Herbert B. Powell, commanding general of the United States Continental Army Command in Wellington, today. “Coral Sea Battle celebrations presented an opportunity to re-establish the ties of friendship.” be said. Although he called on New Zealand’s defence chiefs yesterday, the conversation had only been chats “between old soldiers," he said. During his one-day visit to Wellington. General Powell lunched with the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake). After the luncheon, he presented Mr Holyoake with a set of 14 model missiles including a Redstone rocket, similar to the one used for the United States Mercury project. He later met Army chiefs at Defence Headquarters. At a social call on the Mayor (Mr F. J. Kitts), General Powell presented an inscribed scroll from the Mayor of Newport News (Mr O. J. Brittingham). The scroll was a greeting from the city, the general’s home base. . Newport News was a city similar to Wellington and a big sea port, the General told Mr Kitts. Before boarding his aircraft at Wellington airport late this afternoon. General Powell inspected a special guard of New Zealand Regular Force cadets. He will fly to Europe, stopping in Australia.