THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION CANBERRA, A.C.T.

8-1-39

Written at Perth

My Dear Sir Walter,

More than I can express is my pleasure at the receipt of your telegram of today. That you should have been able to think of me at present adds greatly to the pleasure of this anniversary. Do you know I commenced the day by shaving with the razor my father used. And this kind of sentimentality will, I hope, appeal to you. It does to me.

It is a year of anxiety & great difficulty. But I feel strongly that the right way to tackle it is to do ones work better than it has been done. To live fully. To avoid being a fault-finder & to act & think helpfully. Beyond that we must leave the course of events to the high gods. May I say I value greatly the kindness you have always displayed on my account & the birthday telegram was so in keeping with all you have manifested to me that I am uplifted by the thought of it. May I wish you happiness & good health for this still new year,

My Regards

John Curtin.