Mac angels kiss

Malcolm MacDonald, long a British diplomat and colonial troubleshooter, died today at the age of 79. He was the son of James Ramsay MacDonald, who in 1924 became the first Labor Party leader to serve as Britain's Prime Minister. Mr. MacDonald died in the garden of his home near Sevenoaks, Kent, his family told The British Press Association. They said they were awaiting a medical report. Mrs. MacDonald, vacationing in Canada, was expected to return home tomorrow.

Received Order of Merit

Despite his long service to Labor and Conservative Governments, Mr. MacDonald spurned titles and honors before accepting, in 1969, the Order of Merit, which is limited to 24 people, usually in the arts and sciences.

Mr. MacDonald served in Canada from 1941 to 1946 as High Commissioner, the equivalent of an ambassador in diplomatic relations between Commonwealth countries.

He then spent 10 years in Southeast Asia, holding Governor General and Ambassadorial posts in Malaya, Singapore and Borneo. He served from 1955 to 1960 in India as High Commissioner and for six years in Kenya and other African countries as High Commissioner and Special Representative. Accepted Nehru's Dare