(Due to arrive Melbourne-19.12.25)

My dear P.M.,

My very hearty congratulations. You have done a wonderful job of
work, and it is fully realised in this country. [1]

The only discordant note in the press was a short leader in the
'Westminster Gazette', which I enclose, together with Sir Joseph
Cook's [2] reply.

I think I have traced how this came about. When you were here at
the 1923 Imperial Conference, you made a speech on Imperial Trade
and Preference at some comparatively small private meeting at
which Denman [3] (pronounced Liberal) was in the Chair, and (more
important) his wife (daughter of Cowdray [4]) was present. The
election was on at the time and apparently they took exception to
your speaking on what they regarded as a controversial subject at
such a time, even at a private meeting. Lady Denman is one of the
very few people who has ever criticised your policy adversely to
me, and she seems to nurse this particular grievance rather
carefully. Lady Denman, as representative of the Cowdray interests
(I understand the major financial interest in the paper), became a
Director of the 'Westminster Gazette' a few months ago. This would
seem to explain it. However, it is of little consequence as the
paper is quite unimportant since it changed over from being an
evening to a morning paper.

I hear privately that recently Amery [5] has expressed the opinion
that events were shaping towards an Imperial Conference in 1926.

Previously he has never given me any hint that he was even
considering a Conference before 1927. However, the Locarno Pact
and Disarmament have speeded things up a good deal. Much as I
would like to see you in London, I cannot see that there is
sufficient important material for discussion to warrant your
travelling halfway round the world. McDougall [6] tells me that
the material for a useful Imperial Economic Conference will not be
ready for 12 months yet.

In the Cabinet meeting the day prior to Chamberlain's [7]
'Locarno' Debate in the Commons, Amery tried to get Chamberlain to
accept a form of words in which to state the attitude of the
Dominions to the Pact. Chamberlain, however, very tactfully but
quite firmly said that he would appreciate not being bound by any
form of words but that he hoped the Cabinet would rely on him to
put the matter in its proper light. He did not like being dictated
to by Amery on a matter of Foreign Relations, even if affecting
the Dominions.

It may interest you to know that much rumour is current as to who
is to be the next High Commissioner in London. Howse [8], Pearce
[9] and Sheldon [10] are all mentioned.

I heard a rather grim remark in a newspaper office lately: 'I see
so-and-so is looking a bit shaky, have we got him up to date?'-
meaning, as I found out afterwards, his obituary notice.

I wonder if you have ever heard the following story. Archie Strong
[11] (now disguised as Sir Archibald, K.B.E.) once gave a lecture
on 'Swinburne' at the Prahran Town Hall, the worthy Mayor of the
day, Mr. Rupert Nicholson, being in the Chair. Strong noticed a
look of great disappointment and boredom on the face of the Mayor
as the lecture proceeded. He questioned him discreetly after the
lecture and the Mayor admitted that it had been his understanding
that the lecture was to have been about 'his old and valued friend
George Swinburne'. [12]

With best wishes, I am, Yours sincerely,
R. G. CASEY