Extract from a confidential report from John J. Hearne to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)
(14.F.4)

Viscount Addison's visit

I have the honour to report on the visit to Ottawa of Viscount Addison, Secretary of State for the Dominions.

Viscount Addison was the guest of honour at a Canadian Club luncheon at the Chateau Laurier on Monday the 9th September. When I was introduced to him by Sir Alexander Clutterbuck,¹ the Secretary of State spoke of his friendship with Mr. Dulanty and said that Mr. Dulanty was never more irresistible than when he 'brought along one of his many grievances'.

After lunch Viscount Addison drew me aside to say how content he was with the present state of Anglo-Irish relations. 'We have been getting along very well recently' he said. I said that I had understood that that was so and that I knew how earnestly our Government had hoped for close co-operation between the two countries when the war ended. 'I am so pleased about it all' Lord Addison added. Then some one else was brought to him.

[matter omitted]

Prime Minister King eulogised Lord Addison in a graceful speech of thanks to the Secretary of State for his address. This is one of the things that Mr. King does extremely well, - after seven years one knows his style by rote and his compliments by heart. On this occasion he was at his best. He looks younger than his seventy years since his return from Paris. When I remarked to him how well he looked he said 'Yes, a change of scene, for however short a time, has always done me good. But, my, am I glad to be home'. Mr. Robertson, who, as you are aware, accompanied Mr. King to Paris, has told me that he himself came back from Europe disillusioned and depressed.

The Canadian Government offered a banquet in honour of Viscount and Lady Addison on Tuesday the 10th September. It was a British Commonwealth of Nations affair. There were sixty at table at the Country Club. The Prime Minister, in an address of welcome to the guests of honour, again eulogised Lord Addison, his character as a public man, and his long history as a statesman who has been in and out of Cabinets since 1910.

[matter omitted]

I should add in connection with these addresses (which were not reported in the press) that, in the course of his remarks, Mr. King said that there was no one present on the occasion who was not a member of 'the British family of Nations'. 'Where is my Irish friend, Mr. Hearne?' he asked, 'Oh yes, there you are'. (He sometimes gives the impression that he thinks I am always making for the door or fumbling with the latch). Then, turning to his right: 'Lord Addison, we are all here to welcome you, the whole family'.

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