Letter from Frederick H. Boland to John J. Hearne (Ottawa)
(P96)

Just a word with regard to the final paragraph of your official minute 14.F.52 of the 30th May.¹

I can't imagine where Canadians got the impression that this country is likely to settle down 'as one of the family'. It may come from our attendance since the end of the war at two or three Commonwealth meetings, or, perhaps, from recent messages to the Canadian Press reporting an improvement in relations between Britain and ourselves. But the impression is mistaken. To what extent our present relationship with the British Commonwealth will prove a passing phase, obviously no one can say with certitude at this stage. But one thing is certain. Any change which does take place in the present position will be in the direction of moving out of the family circle rather than into it. No one knows that better than yourself.