Martin, Paul Joseph James

ENCAENIA, MAY, 1967
PAUL JOSEPH JAMES MARTIN
to be Doctor of Laws

Consummate politician though he is, the Minister for External Affairs has won the world's respect as a statesman. And statesmanship is not moulded in a session. He is the only Canadian in politics to-day who has officially attended both the League of Nations and the United Nations. In the House two members alone have served longer than he.

Intellectual and poised, he is never out-generalled in the parliamentary war of words, unmasking deadly batteries when the target offers, or emitting an impenetrable smokescreen if hard pressed.

A master of tactics, he first showed his strategy on the home front. Victim of polio as a child, he had the Salk serum ready for distribution before the tests were completed -- a capital hazard for the Minister of Health and Welfare but potential health for half a million Canadian children. His Department was marked by first-class administration and a perseverance of which some fruits fell to the other Party. The Liberals, under his nudging, had initiated the Hospital Insurance Act. The Tories saw it come into effect. Here truly was a case where Paul planted but Apollos watered!

In External Affairs his mind is set on independent Canadian policies, but his heart is open to the world. He was President of N.A.T.O. in 1965. To his sponsoring have been due, among other momentous measures, the peace-keeping operations in Cyprus, the compromise that staved off the U.N. financial crisis, and the draft treaty on the
non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Let all be inspired by the creed of him who is to deliver our Encaenia address:

"I care passionately for the fate of people."

From:
Cattley, Robert E.D. Honoris causa: the effervescences of a university orator. Fredericton: UNB Associated Alumnae, 1968.