2110-8-1-2

LAURIER HOUSE, OTTAWA.

September 8, 1936.

His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Lord Tweedsmuir, G.C.M.G., C. H. , Governor General of Canada, On board Vice-Regal Train.

My dear J.B.

Your letter of August the 31st written from Kamloops was received by me just as I was leaving for Toronto on Friday evening last, September the 4th. I cannot thank you too warmly for the interesting account it gives of happenings during your stay in British Columbia and for its many helpful suggestions .

The photographs taken at Quebec during the time of the President's visit are exceedingly good. I cannot thank you enough for sending me so many of them. I am delighted they include the one of the two flags. I should say three because the "Union Jack" and the "Stars and Stripes" are floating side by side beneath the aegis of the flag of the King's representative in Canada. What a wonderful picture that is! I am glad the photographs of yourself and Lady Tweedsmuir and other members of the party all turned out so well. They are charming souvenirs of a great occasion.

I am particularly pleased to know that your trip has had a beneficial effect upon your health. I felt sure that such would be the case. I am delighted, however, to know that there has been a real improvement. I hope by the time you get back to Ottawa, you will have fully regained your old health and strength.

2.

I am terribly distressed to learn of the anxiety you have had concerning your second boy at home though my feelings are partially relieved by the word that your latest news has been reassuring. Do tell Lady Tweedsmuir how deeply I feel for you both in this anxiety. If I am not mistaken, Lady Tweedsmuir intends to visit England this autumn. It will be a great comfort both to her and to your son to look forward to seeing each other at that time. If you will let me have your son's address, I shall endeavour, before my return from abroad, to look him up so that I may be able to bring the latest word of him to you on my return.

I had a charming letter from Mrs. Buchan only a few days ago. I thought she would enjoy hearing from me of the Quebec visit and particularly of yourself as you appeared on the night you passed through Ottawa. So I wrote her briefly of the visit and of yourself. I am hoping that before I return, I may find it possible to pay a hurried visit to Scotland just so as to see Mrs. Buchan while abroad. This may be difficult to arrange but if I can manage it at all, I can think of few things which would afford me more real pleasure.

Since the Ministers' return from overseas, we have all been very busy. We have had several Cabinet meetings each week. This week we shall, with the exception of today (Labor Day), be in session every day until I leave on Friday night. Some progress has been made in trade negotiations with the British Government. I think Euler's visits to Russia and Germany have been beneficial. They have served to clear up a number of vexatious points in the administration of the customs laws. As between Canada and both these countries, I look forward for some slight increase of trade. The embargo which was, some years ago, placed by Canada on four or five commodities from Russia will be removed. Euler has been able to secure an undertaking with respect to the importation of coal from Russia into Canada which will lessen the possibility of importations into Canada on any embarrassing scale. The arrangements should be helpful to the British Government as well. Naturally, the British

3.

Government would have preferred a continuance of the embargo. As you know, we have delayed a removal of the embargo on Russian goods pending conferences in England on our trade relations with Great Britain. I think the British understand that to continue the embargo longer would place Canada in a very false position vis-a- vis Russia. We would remain the only country which still embargoes Russian goods. That might serve to placate prejudice for a time. In the long run, however, I am sure it would be prejudicial to Canada in her relations with Russia. The continuance of the embargo would, I fear, result in a feeling of animosity which later on might tell against Canada at some critical moment. Besides there do not appear to be substantial reasons why we should further continue to enforce a measure which handicaps our trade and which is entirely contrary to our own policies, both as regards trade and foreign relations.

The visit to the Capital of the Lord Mayor of London and his party was quite a pleasant event. We arranged for the Lord Mayor and his party to meet members of the Government and the City Council on the steps in front of the Parliament Buildings at ten thirty in the morning. The day happened to be exceptionally bright and warm. The Lord Mayor and his party left their cars at the foot of the walk inside of the Govermnent grounds near Wellington Street and walked in procession up the centre path which leads to the steps. The Carillon greeted them with "O Canada" and other airs. After introductions and exchange of greetings, the Carillon played "God Save the King". I then showed the Lord Mayor and his party over the Parliament Buildings during which time the Lord Mayor placed a wreath in the Memorial Chamber. Between twelve and one, we took the party for a drive throughout the City and to the Country Club where we had a luncheon party. They left at four thirty in the afternoon. I enjoyed very much my talk with Sir Percy and Lady Vincent and I know that they enjoyed the glimpse they were afforded of the Capital. The Lord Mayor expressed it, "the Ottawa visit came as a crowning feature of their trip through Canada".

The Vincent Masseys are in the City today and I am having them out to Kingsmere tonight . This will be my last

4. night in the country .

I just cannot begin to say how I regret having to leave Canada in the autumn months. To me, they are the loveliest of the year. However, I realize that these are days when men cannot afford to think of their own rest or peace of mind, but must give all within their power towards helping to preserve to mankind something of both. I have prayed very earnestly throughout the summer months that I be of some service when at Geneva. I am inclined to believe that the kind of effort necess ary to save Europe lies more beyond, than within, the League of Nations. Confidence must be built up by personal individual effort between men of different countries, especially between those who belong to the British Commonwealth of Nations and all other lands. I am not without hope that in however slight a way, Canada may be helpful in contributing something towards establishing this confidence; at least I pray she may.

I was sorry to have to break in upon your travels with the official communication which I felt I owed it to the Government and to yourself to send on Friday last. From the enclosed editorial from the Toronto Globe of Saturday last which greeted me first thing on the following morning, you will see that I was not far off in the impression I formed. Almost every paper has had something to say.

I am particularly sorry to be going away before we have a chance of a talk together. Mr. Lapointe will be acting in my absence. I hope you will not fail to have a talk with him and with Mr. Mackenzie as soon after your return as may be convenient. My hope is that meanwhile the press will be concerned with other topics , and that some way may be found to keep your name out of any discussion which may arise with respect to defence or other policies. Were it not that I know so well just what your own thought and intention were in what was said, I should be much concerned.

The last of all troubles I wish to encounter is one which directly or indirectly concern His Majesty 's representative in Canada. At all costs, this must not arise during your term of office .

5./

I reached this point in dictation on Monday. It is now Wednesday, and meanwhile your kind telegram in reply to my letter has been received. It accords entirely with what I said to my colleagues in this government. They were much perturbed, especially Mackenzie who has been working very hard on defence policies. As a matter of fact, some weeks ago, I named a special committee of the cabinet to meet with the officials to discuss details of a policy to which we have been giving consideration since the beginning of the year, and which had been tentatively agreed upon before any of the ministers left for Europe. It concerned naval and air defence, as well as the militia. It is going to be a difficult policy to carry out but I hope we shall be able to get support for it when parliament reassembles. Elibank's utterances have done endless harm. It was most unfortunate they were made just at this time - Don't let the matter cause you further concern. I am sure it will all work out all right in the end.

With my renewed thanks and good wishes

Yours sincerely yours

Rex