Former head of Govt dept dies

Press, 1 December 1978, Page 4

Former head of Govt dept dies

PA Wellington i The retired head of the, former External Affairs De-i partment, Sir Alister Mein-! tosh, died yesterday. He was 72. He leaves a widow and one son, James, a teacher at Adelaide University. Sir Alister was born in Pic- ; ton and educated at Marl- i borough College and Victoria University of 'Wellington, ‘ where he got a masters de- ■ gree. - i He joined the Prime Min- ! Isler’s Department in 19351 and became secretary of the i War Cabinet and Secretary i of External Affairs in 1943. ! He also became permanent , head pf the Prime Minister’s Department in 1945. i In 1966 he was made New!; Zealand’s Ambassador in! ; Rome, a post he held until h he retired in 1970. , In a tribute to Sir Alister,’ i the Prime Minister (Mr Mulidoon) said: “New Zealand hash [lost one of its most distinguished public servants. : “As secretary of External ■ Affairs and permanent head,; of the Prime Minister’s De-'; i partment from 1943 until his.

h i retirement in 1966, Sir Alister!; i played a key role in the de-!; iVelopment of New Zealand’s j foreign policy. ! “He served governments of ( ! both political parties and was . I the trusted adviser of four ‘ I successive Prime Ministers. ( “As Ambassador to Italy from 1966 to 1969, Sir Alister , applied his diplomatic experi- j ence in a new field. “After his return to New Zealand in 1970 he continued to serve his country with distinction as chairman of the Broadcasting Council, chairman of the board of trustees of the National Library', and chairman of the Historic Places Trust,” said Mr Muldoon. “Sir Alister’s sagacity, foresight and tact are legendary ( ! among politicians and public ) i servants alike. His quiet and j ! unassuming manner enhanced! ( these qualities, which inspired . ! universal respect. ( “But it is above all for; 'his humanity that he will be ( remembered,” Mr Muldoon s said. "Everyone who worked j (With him, in whatever capac- s iity, will remember him with 'great admiration and with j even greater affection.