He would like to receive a draft copy of the Employers' Liability Bill currently before the House of Commons. A general meeting is soon to be held on the question. A deputation from the various Permanent Funds waited upon Lord Salisbury asking him to use his influence to enable workmen to contract out of the bill. They did so on their own initiative, without the consent of the members. No public meeting had previously been convened to ascertain the opinions of the members, but resolutions have been passed in favour of the bill at meetings at the Rhondda and Aberdare and also at other mass meetings and conferences of colliery representatives. Deputations to a Cabinet Minister or Member of Parliament should previously have tested the opinion of their fellow workmen. There is much indignation at the two collieries to which the writer belongs. Unrepresentative deputations serve only to deceive Members of Parliament. D. A. Thomas is free to make use of this letter.
The committee are grateful to D. A. Thomas for his advocacy of their cause Would like to see every MP advocating the cause of the working man as D. A. Thomas does. Hopes that success will be achieved in releasing the prisoners and wishes D. A. Thomas success in his work. He is writing on behalf of the Strike Committee.
Has heard from G. H. Gwynne that D. A. Thomas is happy to meet a deputation relating to the conduct of the police on Christmas Day. The deputation will be pleased to meet D. A. Thomas at Newport as soon as possible in order to give the full facts of the case.
Has been asked to enquire of D. A. Thomas which would be the best way of thanking the Home Secretary for the reduction of the sentences on the Ponty mister rioters. There is great delight at the outcome.
A deputation of the men will be pleased to give the full facts of the action of the police on Christmas Dayas honestly and as fully as possible. They will be in Newport by the 3.20 pm train tomorrow.
A public meeting of ratepayers approved the action of the Mountain Ash UDC in pressing for a County Court for Mountain Ash. Exchanges with the Lord Chancellor on the subject. D. A. Thomas and three other MPs were asked to use their influence in this connection. Outlines a few of the chief claims of Mountain Ash: the increase in the size of the local population; its central position within the District; the good train service to other places; it is well established as a trading centre. Hopes that D. A. Thomas will use his influence in favour of Mountain Ash.
The Radicals of Merthyr are looking forward with intense interest to D. A. Thomas's visit with Mr Labouchere. D. A. Thomas is expected to call the Liberal Party to arms at the forthcoming Parish Council Elections. The Tories are working hard to wrest several seats on the Board next month, but they are not standing openly as Tories in the election. D. A. Thomas should make a pronouncement on the duties of the working men at the forthcoming elections 'not to vote for the Tories but to return men of their own views & thinking'. D. A. Thomas has not as yet called the people to their sense of duty at the forthcoming elections. There is immense anticipation of D. A. Thomas's meeting, but disappointment that there is to be no overflow meeting at the Drill Hall. D. A. Thomas can rest assured of 'a right royal reception'.
Sir E. J. Reid has resolved to retire from the representation of the Cardiff Boroughs at the next dissolution of Parliament. D. A. Thomas's name is mooted as a strong successor to Sir E. J. Reid, and his selection could be arranged. Could D. A. Thomas give his reaction to this suggestion? Others mentioned are Mr Robert Bird, Mr Tom Ellis and Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice. D. A. Thomas is, however, 'the most popular'. The Liberal Thousand would gladly agree to nominate D. A. Thomas. Could D. A. Thomas wire the writer?.
He will keep an eye on the allocation of tithes, but does not believe it would be wise to open the question very widely. It is very important that no rift or dissension should emerge over the selection of a Liberal candidate at Cardiff. He will ensure that any candidate who is adopted is sound on the allocation question. Selecting a suitable candidate will be difficult. There is no-one willing to contest the seat who could succeed Sir E. J. Reed. The local names mentioned will not satisfy the selections. It will be difficult to find a man who can command the united labour vote. There is a need to take time over the selection.
He is glad to know that D. A. Thomas is optimistic about the remission of the sentences. The petitions are going up to the Home Secretary today. Has written to a number of MPs asking them to see D. A. Thomas as he did not know whether a deputation would be necessary. Gives a list of their names.
They are confident that D. A. Thomas is doing his best in the matter, and have thus asked the other MPs to wait on him. They are grateful to D. A. Thomas for his 'noble efforts' and anticipate every success. He has also written to R. J. Dickson-Burnie MP and William Abraham MP as well as the others.
A deputation went to see a representative of the County Council and were told that the Joint Committee had discussed the question [the action of the police], but no decision had been reached. It was, however, thought that 'the police did wrong to charge'. The workmen now believe that little can be done in the matter, but they hope that D. A. Thomas and his fellow-Members will help to bring about a remission of the prisoners' sentences.
Pontymister Riots. They propose seeing the Home Secretary on Monday next in order to present the petitions to him. Could D. A. Thomas see the Home Secretary and help to expedite the arrangements? Would like D. A. Thomas to introduce and form one of the deputation. Could D. A. Thomas please respond promptly?.
He has nothing to do with the appropriation of the Church Endowments save what applies to every individual. Has voted for a candidate who represents his views and will look after his interests in the Legislature of the Country. The appropriation of Church Endowments in the Rhondda. Cannot do anything as an individual, and has delegated his power to others.
He is grateful for D. A. Thomas's letter, the Welsh Disestablishment Bill and a Return of Church Endowments. There is much useful information relating to properties in the Return. Discusses the divesting of church property.
Encloses a copy of a resolution (A1/12a) passed by a meeting of some three hundred young people convened under the auspices of the Merthyr District Tpsce Union at Morlais chapel. He is pleased that D. A. Thomas has a question on the paper - 'To rid our Country of this curse would be a great blessing & may your efforts in this cause be a success.'. The resolution - (A1/12a) - 'deeply deplore[d] the demoralizing effect of the Drink Traffic upon our young People', and welcomed the intention of the Government to introduce legislation. It urged the introduction of a measure which placed 'full & unlimited control directly in the hands of the People'.
Writes in connection with the Merthyr Borough Election. Agrees that only two Liberal candidates should go to the poll. Has advised the electors to vote for the two sitting MPs and not to give 'plumpers'. The same instructions have been given to canvassers.
'The die is cast: the Rubicon crossed.' He was enormously surprised at D. A. Thomas's decision to transfer from Merthyr Boroughs to Cardiff - 'I am genuinely grieved at the severance'. D. A. Thomas and his wife will be sorely missed. He should not forget Merthyr. Wishes D. A. Thomas success at Cardiff.
