Executive Board
Wednesday, 2nd April, 1941.

Copy on EP/101.

Note of talk between D.G. and Mr. Vincent Massey on - 26. 3. 41.

(1) Mr. Massey wanted closer co-operation between his office and this Ministry, e.g. (a) speakers: Someone here got in touch with them and asked for soldier speakers on the war effort - The request was turned down by the Military because they could not have people away for so long - 4 or 5 nights. Massey thought we should draw a distinction between war effort meetings and factory meetings which he strongly favoured and where he thought special arrangements might be made.

(2) Mr. Massey wanted closer contact about giving credentials to people visiting Canada. He thought only the Minister or D.G. should vouch for people on behalf of the M.O.I. e.g. a Dr. Anderson, a Swedish journalist, had gone out to Canada backed with a personal letter from someone in the M.O.I. and the F.O. had refused to sponsor him. Meantime he had asked for special cable terms and the Canadian authorities had nearly granted them on the strength of the M.O.I. Letter.

(3) British Council : Mr. Massey had heard that they were arranging for Canadian journalists to visit this country - Chancellor had sent him a list. This is nothing to do with culture but short term propaganda and should be done by the M.O.I.

(4) Our panel of Canadian lecturers included two people who had been dead for some time. Enquire.