Sir Thomas Macdonald was High Commissioner in London, 1961-68

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 2

Sir Thomas Macdonald was High Commissioner in London, 1961-68

PA Wellington Sir Thomas Lachclan Macdonald, a former New Zealand High Commissioner in London and Minister of Defence, died yesterday in Wellington. He was 82. Sir Thomas, born in Ivercargill, was educated at the South School and Southland Boys’ High School. Later, he’ joined the Invercargill office of the Union Steam Ship Company. He served during World War I in the Mercantile Marine and in 1918 in Pales-| tine with the Auckland] Mounted Rifles. After the war, he became a farmer in Southland and Western Otago, and in 1937, became member of Parliament for Mataura. Still a member of Parliament, he served in World War 11, rising to the rank of captain with the headquarters and divisional headquarters of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Sir Thomas was returned unopposed to Parliament in 1943, the year he was invalided home. He was a member of the House until 1957, serving the electorate of Wallace, now represented by the Deputy Prime Minister-(Mr Taiboys). In the first National Government after the 1949 General Election Sir Thomas was Minister of Defence and Pensions until his retirement. He also became Minister of External Affairs and Island Territories from 1954, Minisof Rehabilitation for five

years, and Minister of Civil Aviation from 1950 to 1954. In 1961 he was made New Zealand High Commissioner to London, from which post he retired in 1968. During his time in London he was also New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland and to the European Economic Community.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Talboys) yesterday paid tribute to Sir Thomas.

“Throughout his long Parliamentary and diplomatic career Sir Thomas embodied the finest qualities of a New Zealander,’’ he said. “He was a man of immense common sense and practical wisdom and he brought to his work in every sphere a personal

integrity which wa*s clearly recognisable. “One" of his outstanding attributes was a deep interest in and feeling for people which was reflected in a memory remarkable for its ability to recall people and their circumstances “In Parliament he won respect of both sides of the House, while in his long term as High Commissioner in London he was a most influential and well respected spokesman for his country.

I “Tom Macdonald made his I own way. He served in the (mercantile marine during World War I. He was a shepherd on Burwood station in northern Southland in the 1920 s and farmed at Tapanui before entering Parliament in 1938.

“He interrupted his new Parliamentary ’ career in World War II to serve overseas in the Armed Forces.

“His terms as Minister of Defence and of External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs) in the 1950 s took place during years of critical decisions for New Zealand and his contribution was a lasting one.

- “Tom Macdonald had a strong sense of belonging to the South. There was always a very human warmth in his recollection of people and places, particularly for the high country. “My deepest sympathies are with Sir Thomas’s family in their sadness,” Mr Taiboys said.