Dear Mr. Bruce,

Nearly six weeks have now elapsed since I cabled to you in
reference to my position and my proposed remuneration.

Sir Mark Sheldon [1] has informed me that you consulted him on the
subject of allowance. I told Sir Mark that my actual out of pocket
expenses on entertaining people who matter amounted to 6 a week
and this, of course, does not cover all extra expenses.

As I have had no word from you, I must conclude that there are
many difficulties to be overcome in reference to my position and
particularly to my remuneration.

You will remember that when we last discussed this matter, you
stated that in London an entertainment allowance would be regarded
as essential. Please understand that I fully appreciate the fact
that there are many factors to be taken into consideration.

I want to make one point quite clear. The situation that will be
created if the Government and the Statutory Export Control Boards
adopt Public service standards of remuneration for services will
be quite intolerable. I understand that the Dried Fruit Board have
stated that public service salaries must influence the scale that
they can offer to their employees. If this is the case, then I
fear that it will mean that the Boards will be served by
mediocrities. The pukka Public Servant has security of tenure and
a pension or its equivalent. A man doing special work for the
Government, such as myself or the employee of a Statutory Export
Board, cannot have security, nor would it even be desirable. For
work such as mine or for the chief executive officers of Export
Boards, qualities are required somewhat different from those
demanded from public servants. The latter are expected to err if
anything on the side of safety. The former must combine discretion
with vitality and driving force and must be prepared to take some
risks. The more I see of the situation the more I am convinced
that the best method of representing Australia's economic

interests in London is the idea that you and I discussed at
Frankston [2], namely the Australian Producers' Advisory
Committee.

This body should be financed by the producers concerned, with, if
possible, a 1 for 1 subsidy from the Commonwealth Government but
it must not be subjected to Public Service conditions. You will
need no assurance from me that I am not letting the unsatisfactory
nature of my position affect my work. In actual fact I have never
worked harder than I am doing at present. At the same time you, I
am sure, will realise that I am in a very difficult position. I
entirely desire to be able to continue to do the work that I am
doing. I believe it is impossible to exaggerate the potential
importance of the Imperial Economic Committee and of quiet
propaganda to Australia and to the Empire.

I very much hope that you will give this question your
consideration and I should greatly appreciate a private letter
from you on the subject.

Yours sincerely,
F. L. MCDOUGALL