{LAURIER HOUSE,
OTTAWA.}
January 3, 1949
[handwritten] My dear Bezeau : [end handwritten]
I was delighted to receive your letter of greetings and good wishes on my seventy-fourth birthday anniversary. If I have delayed so long in sending an acknowledgment, it is because I have been obliged to limit my activities as much as possible, and also because the Christmas season has made exceptional demands upon my time and energy.
I thank you particulary for your kind references to such part as I have thus far had in the public life of our country. Nothing has touched me more deeply at this time of retirement from the office of Prime Minister than the many expressions of goodwill which have come to me from all parts of Canada and abroad. Among the number, I shall always gratefully remember the one so kindly sent by yourself.
You must not cherish doubts about the future of the Liberal Party, but rather continue to put forth all the effort you can to make its influence greater than ever. I can assure you that I have come to know few if any more genuinely disinterested public men than Mr. St. Laurent. I know of no man of finer integrity and none more genuinely sympathetic with the people, I may tell you, confidentially, that but for the great support which I had from him I might never have succeeded in getting through the policy of the family allowances. I should say that strict adherence to principles of "truth, justice and righteousness" are, with Mr. St. Laurent, outstanding characteristics.
I hope Mrs .Bezeau and the other members of your family keep well. Please allow this letter to bring to them and to you, one and all, my very best of wishes for the New Year.
[handwritten] with kindest remembrances and regards,
Yours very sincerely, [end handwritten]
[signed] W.L.Mackenzie King
C. Mortimer Bezeau
12 Ellen Street East,
Kitchener, Ontario
