Flat No. 303, Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Is delighted that Pethick-Lawrence has been appointed to the India Office. Praises the civil servants there and the Viceroy [Wavell].
India Office.—Thanks him for his good wishes (on his appointment as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the India Office).
Encloses correspondence with Mrs Gordon Phillips (of the Cecil Houses Finance Committee). Is dissatisfied with her behaviour and that of Mrs Chesterton. Wishes to discuss the matter with him.
Flat No. 303, Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Gives news of Pethick-Lawrence’s niece (Ellen Davies), whom he met in New Zealand (cf. 2/295).
303 Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Thanks him for replying to his questions about post-war finance.
303 Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Has been invited to contribute to a book on the reorganisation of Europe after the war. Seeks Pethick-Lawrence’s views on the economic aspects of the subject.
10 Manchester Square, W.1.—Thanks him for his congratulations (on his election as a member of London County Council).
(Dated 8 Mar.)
House of Lords.—Invites him to a meeting of an interparliamentary group formed to foster co-operation among members of different parliaments in the defence of peace and democratic liberties (i.e. the Inter-Parliamentary Union). A report of the group’s conference in Brussels will be given by Eleanor Rathbone on Friday.
(A mechanical copy of a typed original, with typed and handwritten additions. At the foot Pethick-Lawrence has drafted a reply, the text of which is substantially that of 2/295.)
36 Onslow Gardens, S.W.7.—Cannot lunch with him next week, as he is working on a Lords Committee. Suggests other arrangements.
Oxton, Kenton, S. Devon.—Thanks him for an account of his visit to Russia. Explains why he thinks the present régime in that country of limited importance to the progress of socialism in western Europe.
—————
Transcript
September 11th 1932
Oxton, Kenton, S. Devon
Dear Mr. Pethick Lawrence,
I appreciated very much indeed your kindness in sending me the account of your expedition to Russia, and I would have written earlier to thank you had I not been abroad until two days ago.
You give no account of your findings about the Soviet methods in finance, but no doubt this would be hard to explain to the layman. I am inclined myself sometimes to think that people exaggerate the importance of the present regime in Russia to the progress of socialism in western Europe; after all, it is a very different matter building a collectivist economic system on a democratic foundation to superimposing by force the same system on a vast body of passive and ignorant peasants. Socialism can be of no use to us unless it is born of the free and spontaneous choice of the people themselves; and that is how it differs so profoundly from the Russian model. Perhaps, some day, the kulaks and mouziks will be educated by us to collective ownership; one hopes so.
With very many thanks for the deeply interesting account of your experiences.
Yours sincerely,
Listowel
Treasury Chambers.—Has been at the Treasury for some time (having moved from the Commonwealth Relations Office), and will therefore forward Pethick-Lawrence’s letter to Sir Gilbert Laithwaite. His eldest son is in hospital.
An attempt should be made before the general election to explain to the electorate how the profits of nationalised industries are calculated.
Refers to him a query from a friend (Eardley Price; see 3/105) about the pensions of persons formerly employed in India. Has been suffering from sciatica.
Lord Pethick-Lawrence thanks him for the advice about Master Tara Singh (see 2/273).
Thanks him for his letter (2/271). His reading of Campbell-Johnson’s Mission with Mountbatten has led him to reflect on the various contributions made to the final settlement (in India) by the Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten, and the civil service.
(The concluding sentence of 2/276b.)
11 Old Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London, W.C.2.—Congratulates him on his appointment as head of the Commonwealth Relations Office. Has visited Paul Patrick at Aldeburgh and seen his garden.
214 Ashley Gardens, S.W.1.—Congratulates him on his forthcoming marriage.
Commonwealth Relations Office.—Refers to Sir Gilbert Laithwaite’s promise to advise Pethick-Lawrence about subscribing to a memorial to Master Tara Singh, and passes on the advice received from MacDonald, the High Commissioner in India.
(Signed ‘for Private Secretary’, i.e. E. V. Vines. The signature is indistinct.)
Commonwealth Relations Office.—Sir Gilbert Laithwaite thanks him for his kind remarks (see 2/276).
(Signed as Private Secretary.)
Commonwealth Relations Office.—Pethick-Lawrence’s letter to Turnbull (see 2/279-80) has been passed on to him. Explains how changes proposed in the new Pensions (Increase) Bill will affect the pensions of persons formerly employed in India, Pakistan, and Burma.
214 Ashley Gardens, S.W.1.—Thanks him for his congratulations (on his appointment as KCB) and refers to his happy time working under him.
Reiterates his criticism of the method used to calculate death-duties (see 2/17).
Commonwealth Relations Office.—Discusses the relationship between India’s sterling balance and the current value of total British investment in that country.
United Kingdom High Commission, Karachi.—Thanks him for his congratulations (see 2/275).
United Kingdom High Commission, Karachi.—Expresses sympathy on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.