Leslie Munro
Encyclopedia
Sir Leslie Knox Munro, KCMG
, KCVO (26 February 1901 13 February 1974) was a New Zealand lawyer, journalist, and politician of international standing.
and the University of Auckland
, where he graduated with a Master of Laws
in 1923. He became dean of the law faculty at the University of Auckland in 1938, and taught and administrated at the university in a variety of roles until 1951. Munro was also president of the Auckland District Law Society from 1936 to 1938. Munro gave radio talks on world events for the New Zealand National Broadcasting Service (NBS), and wrote for the New Zealand Herald, where he was editor from 1942 to 1951.
, and held significant executive positions in the party, helping it to victory in the 1949 general election
. In 1952 the new Prime Minister, Sidney Holland
, appointed Munro the New Zealand ambassador to the United States, and the permanent representative
of New Zealand to the United Nations. In that capacity he was president of the Trusteeship Council
from 1953 to 1954 and President of the United Nations General Assembly
for its twelfth session (1957–1958). He was also three times President
of the Security Council
, and was serving in that position at the outbreak of Suez Crisis
in 1956. At the UN he was an outspoken critic of the Soviet response to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
, and was appointed the special representative for the 'Hungarian question'.
Munro was knighted in 1955 with a KCMG
, followed by a KCVO
in 1957. Although he was removed from his position as permanent representative in 1958 by the second Labour government
he remained a special representative until 1962, and was also secretary-general of the International Commission of Jurists
from 1961. He wrote the widely-read United Nations:Hope for a divided world in 1960.
For the academic year 1960–1961, he was a Fellow on the faculty in the Center for Advanced Study at Wesleyan University
, Middletown, Connecticut.http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/schome/FAs/ce1000-137.html
in 1963 and then for Hamilton West
in 1969. However, personal and professional antagonisms with two Prime Ministers Keith Holyoake
then John Marshall
prevented him from attaining high rank in those administrations, and he retired in 1972.
in 1974.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, KCVO (26 February 1901 13 February 1974) was a New Zealand lawyer, journalist, and politician of international standing.
Law and media
Munro studied at Auckland Grammar SchoolAuckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...
and the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
, where he graduated with a Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
in 1923. He became dean of the law faculty at the University of Auckland in 1938, and taught and administrated at the university in a variety of roles until 1951. Munro was also president of the Auckland District Law Society from 1936 to 1938. Munro gave radio talks on world events for the New Zealand National Broadcasting Service (NBS), and wrote for the New Zealand Herald, where he was editor from 1942 to 1951.
United Nations
Munro was a founding member of the New Zealand National PartyNew Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, and held significant executive positions in the party, helping it to victory in the 1949 general election
New Zealand general election, 1949
The 1949 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 29th term. It saw the governing Labour Party defeated by the opposition National Party...
. In 1952 the new Prime Minister, Sidney Holland
Sidney Holland
Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:...
, appointed Munro the New Zealand ambassador to the United States, and the permanent representative
Diplomatic rank
Diplomatic rank is the system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. Over time it has been formalized on an international basis.-Ranks:...
of New Zealand to the United Nations. In that capacity he was president of the Trusteeship Council
United Nations Trusteeship Council
The United Nations Trusteeship Council, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, was established to help ensure that trust territories were administered in the best interests of their inhabitants and of international peace and security...
from 1953 to 1954 and President of the United Nations General Assembly
President of the United Nations General Assembly
The President of the United Nations General Assembly is a position voted for by representatives in the United Nations General Assembly on a yearly basis.- Election :...
for its twelfth session (1957–1958). He was also three times President
President of the United Nations Security Council
The President of the United Nations Security Council is the presiding officer of that body. The president is the head of the delegation from the Security Council member state that holds the rotating presidency.-Selection:...
of the Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
, and was serving in that position at the outbreak of Suez Crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
in 1956. At the UN he was an outspoken critic of the Soviet response to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
1956 Hungarian Revolution
The Hungarian Revolution or Uprising of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide revolt against the government of the People's Republic of Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956....
, and was appointed the special representative for the 'Hungarian question'.
Munro was knighted in 1955 with a KCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, followed by a KCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
in 1957. Although he was removed from his position as permanent representative in 1958 by the second Labour government
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
he remained a special representative until 1962, and was also secretary-general of the International Commission of Jurists
International Commission of Jurists
The International Commission of Jurists is an international human rights non-governmental organization. The Commission itself is a standing group of 60 eminent jurists , including members of the senior judiciary in Australia, Canada, and South Africa and the former UN High Commissioner for Human...
from 1961. He wrote the widely-read United Nations:Hope for a divided world in 1960.
For the academic year 1960–1961, he was a Fellow on the faculty in the Center for Advanced Study at Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
, Middletown, Connecticut.http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/schome/FAs/ce1000-137.html
National politics
Munro returned to New Zealand and was elected a National Party Member of Parliament, first for WaipaWaipa
Waipa is a former Parliamentary electorate in the Waikato Region of New Zealand, which existed for various periods between 1876 and 1996.-History:Waipa existed from 1876 to 1890, 1893 to 1896, then from 1954 to 1969, and then from 1978 to 1996....
in 1963 and then for Hamilton West
Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)
Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
in 1969. However, personal and professional antagonisms with two Prime Ministers Keith Holyoake
Keith Holyoake
Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...
then John Marshall
John Marshall
John Marshall was the Chief Justice of the United States whose court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and executive branches...
prevented him from attaining high rank in those administrations, and he retired in 1972.
Private life
Munro was married twice, and had a daughter from each marriage. His first marriage, to Christine Priestley, lasted for two years, as it was cut short by her death in 1929 three days after the birth of their daughter. Munro's second marriage, to Muriel Sturt in 1931, was to last until his death in HamiltonHamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
in 1974.