WELLINGTON: President Johnson appealed to North Viet-Nam today [Oct 20 J to halt `a war you cannot win` and take its place in a `proud, independent and peaceful` Asia.

Mr Johnson made his plea, which was not accompanied by any offer to make it easier for North Viet-Nam to listen to it, at a state luncheon before members of the New Zealand Parliament.

On the contrary the President warned Hanoi that `America pledges herself to serve` in the Viet-Nam conflict for its duration.

Mr Johnson arrived here yesterday afternoon.

He was due to leave late this afternoon for Canberra (Australia). From there he will head for Manila.

Mr Johnson told North Viet-Nam`s leader that `a new Asia is emerging` and `your people should be part of it`.

After appealing for an end of the war, he said: `What can be lost by joining your brothers in South-East Asia in a different kind of war a war for human dignity, a war for health and enlightenment, a war for your children and for generations of children to come.

Mr Johnson recalled that both the United States and New Zealand had learned the lesson of appeasement in World War IL The President said: `Much war in Asia remains to be fought.

Mr Johnson continued: `It is Asia`s example that will inspire its people to build on the bedrock of social justice.

`Yet all our efforts, all the planning, all the devotion, all the resources free nations are able to commit to Asia, can be demolished if the terrorists and Communists succeed to dominate her people.

Mr Johnson, who will visit Malaysia on his current tour, said that Communists had tried to break down the fabric of community life in Malaysia.

`But,` he went on, `at the cost of great sacrifices by the Malaysian people and the commitment of lives and resources by Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other members of the Commonwealth and their allies, the terrorist outlaw has been defenced and ambitious invaders have been deterred.`-Agencies