2110-8-1-3

8th September, 1936

Private and confidential

The Rt. Honble W. Mackenzie King, M.P., The Prime Minister's Office, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.

I have just got your letter of 4th September, and am greatly distressed that I should have given you this cause for anxiety when you have so much to think about. I thought that what I said was incapable of miscontruction, but when I saw the extracts in the press this morning I felt as you feel - that certain isolated sentences might be misconstrued.

Since I was speaking to an audience of soldiers I had to deal with defence. I began by saying that the breakdown of the high hopes since the Langue of Nations was started, had compelled every democracy unwillingly to give some attention to defence questions, and that Canada could be no exception to this rule. I went on to say that since Canada, like Britain was a martial but not a military nation, its defence policy must be limited to what is absolutely necessary, and not one penny spent beyond that. I concluded by paying a very sincere tribute to the Militia, both for its efficiency and its public spirit.

I thought that I was helping to hold up the hands of your Government. You see how the best laid schemes of mice and men can

gang agley! If you get a chance, will you tell Ian Mackenzie this? Any word of criticism from me would be wholly improper, and the very last thing I should dream of.

I do not suppose there is anything I can do to set things straight, but if there is I know you realise you can command me.

I am having a wonderful tour in Sourthern Alberta, and am thrilled by the warmth of my reception.

I shall greatly miss you while you are in Europe, but I hope you will manage to get some rest and refereshment.

With my renewed good wishes for your journey.