A NOTABLE FIGURE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1933, Page 2

A NOTABLE FIGURE

SIR ERIC DRUMMOND Sir Eric Drumond, who (has relinquished the post of SecretaryGeneral of the League of Nations, may be described as the first international servant in the history of the world. He was appointed at its foundation, having been singled out for the unique and intensely difficult task, by Mr Woodrow Wilson himself, who Iliad recognised his exceptional ability when lie was private secretary to Lord Bab fours For 14 years be has filled tile office with hearing a breath of criticism from any nation > and retires leaving behind hini wlmt the Council termed “an incomparable example.” It is difficult for the ordinary mortal to appreciate the magnitude and complexity of the task he undertook. He had t 0 build up a secretariat of 30 nationalities using 20 different languages. Having done so, be had to marshal its activities through the maze of the internal parliament with its special sessions and conferences fraught with tremendous consequences to the world of civilisation itself. When his resignation was accepted last year Sir John Simon said -hi had listened with pleasure and pride to the expressions of gratitude and admiration from members. . He stated that he had never known Sir Eric in any conversation, however intimate or priVate, to take up a point of view inspired by any consideration for his. own country’s special interests. Such a tribute from such a man is a worthy cjjlAyn for high, endeavour. It proclaims*'file character of the man.“The wprci|sf an-Englishman,” expressed througjrtke Secretary-General, who for the time being ceased'to be an Englishman and became !an international personality, found new lustre.- Whatever its weaknesses, Sir Eric stands firm for the League. : Tn a recent broadcast address in Eh’gland he said it had become the centre round which international life bad been built up. If it were to disappear every pplitien? treaty concluded during its existence Would vanish with it, because the majority of them were linked up with the League,