Extracts from a letter by James McNeill to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)

My dear Minister,

I have just heard for the first time that the Committee of the British Empire Exhibition were going to issue invitations to about 1,200 people to attend the ceremony of opening the Exhibition by the King on 23rd April, and that High Commissioners were being asked to propose the names of persons to be invited.

[Matter omitted]

I must, as I conceive, attend. Absence would be regarded as wilful discourtesy. I think I must also propose at least ten other names. If, as seems likely, President Cosgrave is in London I think he must attend. In any case I think I should ask for an invitation for him, even if eventually he is unable to attend. If you, or the Ministers of Agriculture and of Industry and Commerce could attend[,] the names should be sent in. If the Ministers could not come the Secretaries of the Departments might be invited, or any of the three who could come. The Governor General would of course be invited, but I must include his name in any list sent in by me. The Chairman of the Senate¹ should be suggested in my opinion.

[Matter omitted]

As the matter is very urgent please have a reply sent to this as soon as possible.