MR. MALCOLM MACDONALD

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 109, 10 May 1934, Page 11

MR. MALCOLM MACDONALD

--Mr. -Malcolm Mac Donald, M.P., Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs, is the son of the Prime Minister.. He is known to many New Zealanders, for he toured, the Dominion as a member of a debating party in 1925 after leaving Oxford "University. Many of his speeches during that tour will be remembered by many who heard him on that occasion.: I met him and heard him speak then. Those who could hear him now would never believe it was the same man. He has improved out of all knowledge. He has on several occasions risen to great heights in his Parliamentary addresses, and on one occasion recently, when he addressed the, House of Commons at length, I wrote him ana told him how much I appreciated the speech that he had delivered.

If I was askea to sum up Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald's character in one word, I would say "moderation." He does not deal in superlatives. Ha uses neither long words nor many adjectives in order to make his points. The simplicity of the language he uses to express his ideas is a lesson to all of us.

. "When Mr. Mac Donald was appointed to the position he at present holds he Tefused to accept the salary that went

with the position, and decided to accept the ordinary honorarium of a member of Parliament. He pointed out that he was a bachelor and that the pay of a private member was quite sufficient, and he made his contribution to the public purse in. that way. BRILLIANT SON AND DAUGHTER.

Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald has plenty of tact, a pleasing way when meeting those who have to call on the Secretary of' State for the Dominions, the Et. Hon. J. H. Thomas, and is prompt with .his replies to questions addressed to him, and courtesy itself. I have been tremendously impressed with his growth as a Parliamentarian and as a man holding down a very important position as far as the Dominions are concerned. As I stated in my article dealing with Mr. Thomas, every High Commissioner in London was constantly under obligations to tho Dominions Office, and every High Commissioner has been indebted to Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald for information on dozens and dozens of occasions.

I do not think Mr. Malcolm MacDonald either smokes or drinks—at least, I have never seen him do either, but at a dinner, when he is representing the Dominions Office in the absence of his chief, he is. a charming table companion, full of fun and knowledge, and creates a good opinion wherever He goes. I discussed Him with some of the leading statesmen, and although they havebeen. of a different political faith, they have told me they admire his ability, his strict attention to his work, and his,unfailing readiness to. givo of his best at all. times*

The Prime Minister is indeed happily blessed with such a brilliant daughter, Miss ishbel Mac Donald, and such a brilliant son, Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald.