ENPages
page_0001
HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, JOHANNESBURG,
Jan: 17::1902
My dearest Mother,
I keep on writing you letters and getting no answer except an indignant note two days' ago complaining that I never write. There must be a gay old congestion somewhere in the postal arrangements of this benighted land.
H.E. has been in Pretoria for two days, and I have been very busy,
page_0002
trying to answer all the agitated questions of Mr Chamberlain. Now that Parliament has met we shall be bombarded with questions for the next few months, till the Coronation diverts people's attention.
I hope you are well and cheerful, as I am or try to be. I dined with H.E. last night, and we had a long crack about Oxford and people at home. I found it easy to put
page_0003
him in good spirits by directing his mind from "shop". Then he made me a very flattering proposal. He offered to put me at the head of Land Settlement and give me absolute powers, making me responsible only to the Home Govt. At the same time he said that he found it difficult to spare me and it was only his sense of the great importance of the work, that made him offer it. I said that I felt the work to be so important that, if he asked me to do it, I should feel
page_0004
bound to accept, but that I hope he wouldn't, as I should much prefer to stay with him. So there the matter rests. I hope he doesn't ask me, as it would tie me down to the most difficult & arduous work for several years. At the same time I am glad he made the offer, as it shows that he believes in me. This is most confidential [sentence underlined]. Don't mention it to a soul.
To-morrow is mail-day, thank goodness. Anna always writes in very good spirits.
With much love to Father, the Mhor & yourself
Your affectionate son
John
