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PERSONAL.
14th June, 1937.
The Rt. Honble W. L. Mackenzie King, M.P., at The Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly, London, S. W.
A thousand for your kind telegram about our little misadventure at Campbellton station. It was a close shave, but I have had so many in my life that I never gave it a second thought until I had a flood of cables from home!
We had a delightful week's tour in the Maritimes in beautiful weather. The only bad afternoon was the one on which I tried for a salmon, when the weather made it impossible to stir a fish! The Maritimes have a delightful character of their own, like no other part of Canada; they remind me of the coast of Fife, with the strong sale smell in the air. They gave us a wonderful reception, and I had congested audiences at my two Canadian Club addresses. Dysart had not yet come back, but I had long talks with McNair, the Attorney-General, and old Paterson. Paterson is a curious fellow. He is an example of the imperfectly educated man who dabbles in history and law as a hobby and gets clean off the track. I did my best to put a little sense into his head. At the same time I do not feel that the Maritimes are going to be a serious problem in any revision of the Constitution. They have undoubted grievances, which they can never present forcibly because the different Provinces quarrel among
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themselves about details. But I am inclined to think that they would welcome a Conference with all the cards on the table. Angus Macdonald, whom I saw a lot of, is pretty confident about his election this month. Angus is one of the sanest statesmen in Canada, and might play a great part in Federal politics if his health would improve.
The Toronto "Saturday Night" has taken to calling the Prime Ministers of Ontario and Quebec "Hepler" and "Duplessini"! That is legitimate satire, for both these eminent people seem to be in a foolish slap-dash mood. I had a talk with young McCulloh at Toronto, and I have asked him to come and stay a week-end in the fall. He is extraordinarily crude, and his head is rather turned by the flatteries of Hepburn and the stupider kind of Toronto magnate. But I am inclined to think there is good stuff in the lad.
There is no doubt about the close alliance between Hepburn and Duplessis - a kinship of temperament rather than of policy. Between them I thought they might do a great deal of mischief, but I am inclined to think that they will defeat themselves. I, of course, have no politics, but I profoundly believe in liberalism (with a small 'l'), and their creed is its negation. I don't think they will do any real harm to the fundamental liberalism in the Dominion; indeed, I think their extravagances will revive the sound elements in Canadian opinion. My chief thought, naturally, is how it will affect you. But now I am more comforable about that. Your central sagacity of mind will be a rallying point of the great majority of
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rational people who have no lofe for short cuts and foolish adventures.
I hear from everywhere that you have had a tremendous time at home, and I follow with profound interest your efforts on behalf of a British-American trade treaty. I am inclined to feel that the omens are more favourable for that. I hope you have not over-tired yourself, and that you will get a Highland holiday with Ian Mackenzie.
I have a crowded month of engagements, for on Wednesday I am speaking at Montreal at the Jubilee dinner of the Canadian Institute of Engineering, and on Thursday at the luncheon of the AmericanCanadian Conference at Kingston. Then next week I have to address the gigantic Presbyterian Conference in Montreal, and the Canadian Medical Association at Ottawa, besides delivering a discourse in French to the Congres de la Langue Francaise here. I am glad to say I am very well. Alas! I fear I shall not see you before I leave for the West on July 3rd.
I wonder how much you have seen of Violet Carruthers? Susie had a letter from her this week which depressed us. She seems to be bettering herself into a permanent sorrow for Jim, partly, perhaps, out of remorse, for undoubtedly when he was alive he was not the easiest person to live with. I wish you could induce her to come out here on a visit, for it would do her all the good in the world.
