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You will have noticed that Mr. Dunning , the Premier
of Saskatchewan, has joined the Administration as Minister of
Raiways and Canals. Dunning is generally thought of as the
ablest man in public life West of the Great Lakes. His coming
into the Government wiil materially strengthen our position.

You will I am sure be interested in learning that
I have made it clear to the Progressive and Labor groups in
Parliament that I do not propose to bargain for support. I
put all our cards on the table at the start. Our policies were
fully outlined in the Speech from the Throne before I had an
interview with a single member of either the Progressive or
Labor Party. From the moment Parliament assembled up to this
hour they have all been given to understand that this programme
we were prepared to carry through if given the necessary support.
Otherwise we were quite ready to resign.

While I have no concern about our ability to carry
on I can see that the policy of the Opposition will be to block
us at every stage. That will make the Session anything but
pleasant. Obstruction tactics constitute, however, a two-edged
sword, and already what has been attempted in that direction
has strengthened very materially our position in the country.

To me, personally, after the heavy work of the last
four years and all the strain and stress of the general election
and the situation which has ensued, a period of retirement from
office would not be at all unwelcome. I recognize, however,
that there are situations where one cannot afford to permit
one's personal feelings to be a determining factor, and in
the present situation I recognize a real need to maintain the
position which we have taken, and I intend to do this to the
utmost of my strength and ability.

The references of your letter to the situations with
which the Governments of Peel, Russell, Plamerston and Darby
were faced, have been very helpful to me. We think too often
of "the light of history" in its relation to the unknown future;
what it brings to us of guidance from the past is perhaps,
what we should have most in mind.