THE MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24481, 14 December 1940, Page 10

THE MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN

The sudden death of the Marquis of Lothian deprives the British Government of the services of a distinguished public man whose efforts were being strenuously exerted to the end of promoting a clear understanding in the United States of the special needs of Great Britain at the present critical juncture. The duties that were imposed upon him as Ambassador in Washington in the circumstances of the war were in many respects of a delicate nature. Fortunately the representations which it was necessary for him to make met at all times with a sympathetic response from President Roosevelt, whose expression of regret at Lord .Lothian’s death indicates very plainly that the relations between them had developed into a close friendship. The fact that he succeeded in securing a complete mutual understanding between the two great democracies constitutes the best testimony to the immense service which he was able to render in his ambassadorial capacity. Lord Lothian was described by Mr Lloyd George, with whom he was associated for several years, as a man of exceptional capacity With those people in New Zealand, who had the opportunity of meeting him on a visit which he paid to the Dominion shortly before his acceptance of high office in the diplomatic service, he left d n impression of great personal charm as well as of rare breadth of vision and a mind that was a veritable storehouse of information. His death at the present juncture is most regrettable and untimely.