2110-7-3-36

HIGH COMMISSION HOUSE, MILNERTON, CAPE TOWN.

April 22 / 35

My dear Buchan,

It's ages since we met, but I do want to send you a line to say how delighted I was to see that you are the next Gov. Gen. in Canada. As you may know, I spent 6 years there as High Commissioner & only left last Sept^r. I am particularly pleased about yr. appointment because I felt - & as occasion offered have advocated - that the time had come to make a change from the traditional field of selection. This is no reflection on yr. many predecessors in office. Canada, as you know, has been singularly fortunate in her G.G.s & no doubt a return shd. often be made to that particular class, but the G.G-ship, like most other things at most other times, is in a phase of transition, & perhaps just now a rather critical phase. Granted that a change shd. be made, my particular desideration was a change to someone like yourself who has a cultural

background. Canadians have v. little culture themselves but they respect & like it in others. It will give you a field of material for use in speeches wh. has been closed to many of yr. predecessors & wh. I believe will be appreciated & will help to create a new atmosphere. You may think I am attaching undue importance to something wh. has not usually been associated with the representatives of H.M., but I have some confidence in my opinion & shall look forward in due course to hearing from my Canadian friends that they have secured the perfect G.G. Anyhow, I am sure you will enjoy yourself despite the many unavoidable taedia of the job. You probably know Canada already & what friendly people C^ns are if they feel one is genuinely friendly with them.

All good wishes for yr. years there & if you think there is anything about wh. I cd. give you information, do let me know.

Yours sincerely

W.H. Clark