LORD TWEEDSMUIR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 119, 13 February 1940, Page 8

LORD TWEEDSMUIR

In the death of Lord Tweedsmuir. the Dominion of Canada has sustained the first Vice-Regal bereavement in her history. Io the reading public throughout the British Empire he was better known as John Buchan, historian and writer of such absorbing ‘'thrillers” as Green Mantle, The Thirty-nine Steps, and many others, and it was. but natural that those who knew only this side of his peisonality were surprised at his appointment as Governor-General of Canada. Most people were unaware that by experience and training he was well fitted for the task. To a brilliant university career he added distinguished service to Lord Milner during the latter s term of office as High Commissioner for South Africa, a difficult post in that period of South African history. Furthermore, he had had political experience as a member of the House of Commons representing the Scottish Universities, and for one term of office was High Commissioner foi the Church of Scotland. The late Lord Tweedsmuir was very popular in Canada, and in a quiet unobtrusive way gave very valuable sei vice to the Canadian Government. So highly was he esteemed that wtien the question of. his successor was put to the Canadian Prime Minister, Air. MacKenzie King, he replied that he would prefer to considci an extension of Lord Twcedsmuir’s term rather.than contemplate tnc appointment of a new Governor-General. .His untimely death tin. result of an accident will be deeply regretted throughout the Dominion.