Barrage

Just what was behind Kennedy's suggestion politically was not entered into. The barrage of questions relevant to it placed Humphrey in an awkward position. Placed at the other end of the world and clearly representing the United States Administration in the Asiatic region, the Vice-President had no directive to work from. He left the State Department room to manoeuvre by saying that Kennedy's statement contained only capsuled reports.

Humphrey emphasized that New Zealand would be, and has been, consulted at every phase of the war since being committed. Asked why we were not invited to participate in the Honolulu Conference he had to change his line.