Sir Donald Maclean
To all who knew Sir Donald Maclean personally the news of his sudden death on Wednesday brought a deep sense of loss. While never in the front rank of politicians, Sir Donald was inspired in his political work by the highest conception of public service, and the integrity of his character gained him a respect. and regard such as few men tested by the daily stress of politics can command. Though he had been Chairman of Committees, and died a Cabinet Minister, he will be remembered longest for his gallant and able leadership of the little band of twenty- nine " Wee Free" Liberals who survived the. General Election of 1918. If that wing of the Liberal Party sur- . vived the split that began in 1916 it was due to Donald Maclean more than any other man. The Presidency of the Board of Education fell to him in the ordinary course of the distribution of offices under the first National Govern- ment last year, and though he would not have claimed that he had any special qualifications for that post more than for others that might have been offered him, he applied himself to the work with his invariable conscientiousness and industry, and in every way maintained the traditions of his predecessors. An impenitent Free Trader to the end he remained a Minister under the " agreement to differ " arrangement out of a clear sense of duty but with little case of mind. If the balance of parties in the Cabinet is to be maintained the natural successor to Sir Donald as Education Minister would seem to be Lord Lothian, who is competent in every way to fill the vacant post.
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