World Leaders’ Tributes

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30035, 21 January 1963, Page 11

World Leaders’ Tributes

(N 2.PA.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 20. The Prime Minister, Mr Macmillan, last night described the death of the Labour leader, Mr Hugh Gaitskell, as “a grievous loss to the whole nation.” This tribute was one of hundreds made in Britain and nearly every country of the world.

Mr Macmillan said in a television broadcast: “Mr Gaitskell has died prematurely but he will leave behind a record of achievement of which any man would be proud. “He had real humanity, not paraded, but genuine. He was a man who worked hard with real devotion for his fellow men, not just for mankind in general, but for individual men and women. He had no hatreds, except a deep and genuine hatred for injustice. The Queen, who is staying at Sandringham, sent the following message to Mrs

Gaitskell: “I have learned with deep distress of the death of Mr Gaitskell, whose distinguished services to the country and in Parliament will be sorely missed. My husband joins me in sending our sincerest sympathy to you and all the family.” Earl Attlee, who was Mr Gaitskell’s predecessor as leader of the Labour movement, said: “I am very distressed at the loss of a good man and comrade and an outstanding member of the Labour Party. In a few months he might well have been Prime Minister and, I think, a great one.”

The secretary of the eight million-strong Trade Union Congress, Mr George Woodcock, said: “I am sure Mr Gaitskell would have made an outstanding Prime Minister. He had all the qualities which well fitted him for that job: high intelligence, great —almost ruthless —intellectual honesty and immense courage and concentration.” The leader of the Liberal Party Mr Jo Grimmond, said Mr Gaitskell’s death “will leave a gap fn the whole public life of the country. He will be deeply mourned by everyone associated with him in politics.”

The Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr R. A. Butler, said Mr Gaitskell would be missed “not only as a friend, but as an honest and true politician who won the respect and admiration of everyone with whom he came into contact” East and Wert Mr Khrushchev joined President Kennedy, Commonwealth leaders and other statesmen from East and West in tributes. Mr Khrushchev, who also sent condolences to Mrs Gaitskell and her family, said in a message to the Labour Party that he was "particularly grieved” by the death of Mr Gaitskell, an outstanding political leader who would have been a welcome guest in Moscow. President Kennedy said he was deeply grieved at the death of one of the foremost figures in the Western community. “In his passing, freedom loses a gaitant champion,” he said. President Tito, of Jugoslavia, said he was “deeply grieved” at the death of an eminent British statesman The Polish Communist leader, Mr Wladyslaw Gomulka, said his death was a “keen loss."

Wert Berlin's governing Mayor, Mr Willy Brandt, visibly shaken said: “This is a terrible blow for the Labour Party and the whole Western world.”

The Eart German Commu met leader, Mr Walter Ulbricht also sent "deeplyfelt sympathy” to the British Labour Party. The United Notions Sec-retary-Generai, U Thant, expressed sincere sympathy for Mrs GaitskeU and the General Assembly President. Sir Zafrulloh Khan, said: “He was a man of courage and virion and Labour wifi have great difficulty in replacing him." Tbs Australian Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, said: “I admired Mr GottokeU’e capabilities. He added a fine and wtil-tarntohed mind and a sense of dedication to hie own ideals. He had a true patriotism and high character and a singular personal charm." The Federal Rhodesian

Prime Minister. Sir Boy Weieneky said Mr GaitskeU had shown remarkable skill in keeping the Labour Party °The*CiUiadian Prime Minister. Mr Diefenbaker, said Britain had toot a “greet eon and toe Commonwealth a dedicated friend." France: The secretary of toe Soria list Party and. a former Prime Mtatoter, Mr Guy Mollst, said Mr GoiiakeU wee "one of the surest, moot brifttant and moot open men of modem snrititam ” Mr Pierre Mendes-France, also referring to Mr Bevan, said: “For many these two men were the Labour Party." Belgtaw The Forties Minister. Mr Paul-Henri Spank, said: "This to a terrible tees for toe Laboy Party, Britato and international democracy. Denmark: The Prime Mantotar, Mr Jene-Ottn . Krag. fad Mr Citator, 11 dtod "wtom Labour had Ito best chance for aa etastton ataea 1848."