PC 4458/41
OTTAWA, May 29, 1941.
HONOURARLE WILLIAM ABERHART,
PREMIER OF ALBERTA,
EDMONTON, ALTA.
RE TILLEY EAST AREA STOP FURTHER TO MY TELEGRAM OF MAY 16
IN REPLY TO YOUR LETTER OF MAY THIRTEENTH I BEG TO ADVISE YOU
THAT DECISION HAS BEEN REACHED TO ACCEPT YOUR CONTINUED OFFER
AS PER YOUR LAST PARAGRAPH TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO DEPARTMENT OF
NATIONAL DEFENCE ALL PROVINCIAL LAND WITHIN THE AREA STOP
DOMINION GOVERNMENT WILL PROCEED TO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE
PRIVATE OWNERS AS YOU SUGGEST STOP I NOTE THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT
WILL PASS THE NECESSARY ORDER IN COUNCIL STOP UNDERSTAND FROM
GIBSON AND DYDE THAT TO SAVE TIME PROCEDURE WILL BE TO FILE PLAN
COVERING WHOLE AREA INCLUDING PROVINCIAL LANDS AND THAT THEY
IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR OFFICIALS ARE WORKING OUT APPROPRIATE
CONVEYANCING TO GIVE EFFECT TO ABOVE ARRANGEMENT STOP WHILE
NEGOTIATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS WILL BE UNDER OFFICIALS OF THIS
DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WOULD OF COURSE BE GREATLY
OBLIGED TO HAVE CONTINUED ACTIVE COOPERATION OF ALBERTA GOVERN-
MENT AND OFFICIALS IN MATTERS WHERE YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE AND
TECHNICAL MACHINERY MIGHT BE HELPFUL AND WHERE KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS WOULD BE OF VALUE STOP IT WOULD
OF COURSE BE OF ASSISTANCE IF LAND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE PROVINCE
WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO US IN EVENT OF PRIVATE OWNERS PREFERRING
TO BE PROVIDED WITH LAND AS COMPENSATION IN WHOLE OR IN PART.
J. L. Ralston
Minister of National Defence.
