Public Service
In 1937 he became a member of the Commonwealth Public Service from where he was granted a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a doctorate at the London School of Economics. He joined the Department of External Affairs in 1941 and served as private secretary to Herbert Vere Evatt. In 1947 he became Secretary of the Department of External Affairs and held that position until mid-1950. At the beginning of 1951 he took up the position of Australian High Commissioner for Ceylon, but resigned to return home and contest the Federal election of that year in the electorate of Lowe. As ALP candidate he was beaten by William McMahon, a future Prime Minister of Australia.
Read more about this topic: John Burton (diplomat)
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