Could Hughes bring up his letters to the committee room every morning next week? Will he see G. C. Thomas, checkweigher of Merthyr, who will be one of the deputation which waits on the Welsh MPs and say that D. A. Thomas wishes to see him as soon as possible in relation to the resolution passed by the Merthyr men the previous week? Hughes should show Thomas D. A. Thomas's question in that day's Times.
Was obliged for the telegram. He would like to address a public meeting to reply to some of the statements made by Mabon and others. Won the division by five votes. Concurs in recipient's view of Local Option as long as the promoters of the bill insist on the bank to bank proposal. Originally put down an amendment in favour of district local option and later amended it to county option. Reverted to district option by accepting an amendment during the debate. The promoters will withdraw the bill the next day. Recipient's name was heard frequently during the course of the debate. W. Pritchard Morgan spoke and voted against the amendment. 'The English Federationists are threatening dire vengeance upon us.'.
Gives his views upon licensing and other aspects of the liquor trade. The proposed granting of compensation to the current holders of licences. Believes that the provisions of the 1881 Sunday Closing Act should be extended to England and that it should be amended in relation to Wales. He is opposed to the granting of grocers' licences, and believes that much Sunday drinking is the result of the sale of 41/2 gallon casks by brewers and grocers. Publicans are too often unfairly blamed for this. The people rather than the magistrates should be given the power to grant licences. The system of tied houses is now very common and is contrary to the spirit of the Licensing Laws. As long as a house is licensed, the publican should be answerable only to the law and should be free to purchase his supplies from the most competitive source.
Encloses a press cutting comprising a letter 'from the President of the Christian Socialists in Belgium'. The letter in the cutting expresses an interest in the scheme for the increase in wages and warns of the serious consequences of the over-production of coal. It is essential to regulate production and to establish selling prices beneficial to capital and labour. Has written two articles based on these ideas and would be pleased to examine recipient's scheme. The letter A1/82 notes that such a scheme requires the agreement of the men, but it has attracted a favourable response from Continental coalowners and Conservatives. D. A. Thomas may wish to become acquainted with the details of the scheme. Writer will gladly forward further details.
Would very much like to accede to the request of his Newborough friends if the way was clear. Cannot at present know whether he will be able to come home to Anglesey next Christmas. It would be better, therefore, for the honour to be given to someone who is certain to be present. Welsh. Incomplete.
W. R. Hawkins, the Chamber's secretary, is to send to D. A. Thomas a copy of Colonel Ingram's paper on the Severn Defences. Discusses the likely result of the destruction of the dock gates at Cardiff by an enemy. The special contracts made by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with the Colliery Owners for 'supply under circumstances constituting anticipated or actual war'. The importance of south Wales coal to the movements of the Mercantile Marine.
Quotes an extract from The Times entitled 'The South Wales Mails'. The extract quotes an exchange between D. A. Thomas and Arnold Morley, the Postmaster General, on the quality of postal services in south Wales. The Chamber seeks an improvement in the service.
Agrees with recipient that identical resolutions should be passed simultaneously by the North and South Wales Liberal Federation Executives acknowledging the work done by the Campaign Committee and the advisability of the two Federations taking up the work again. If the recipient or Mr Stuart Rendel could draft a resolution, will arrange for the executive of the South Wales Liberal Federation to meet on the same day as the North. Knows that there will be fervent support in the south.
Mr Arnold Morley acknowledges D. A. Thomas's letter of the 13th enclosing a copy of the resolution passed by the Merthyr Vale Chamber of Trade referring to the proposed adoption by the Post Office of the 'cash on delivery' system.
The various societies of young Welshmen in north Wales, Liverpool and Manchester plan to consolidate themselves into a single organisation and establish new branches in the towns and villages of north Wales. They do not feel that they have the right to act in south Wales. Encloses a sketch of the scheme (A1/199a) and would like D. A. Thomas to show it to the other MPs from south Wales. Could D. A. Thomas attend the conference at Chester in early June? Would welcome D. A. Thomas's opinion and perhaps a letter for publication.
Annexes a copy of a resolution which D. A. Thomas should second at the conference next Saturday. Would welcome an early reply from D. A. Thomas. The resolution approves the formation of a Cymru Fydd League as outlined in the draft scheme issued by the Liverpool and Manchester Cymru Fydd societies. It also urged the setting up of branches, an improvement in organisation and greater publicity for its objectives. The resolution was proposed by Thomas Gee, seconded by D. A. Thomas, and supported by Sir George Osborne Morgan MP.
Wishes to draw D. A. Thomas's attention to the coal transactions. Has discharged his duties on D. A. Thomas's behalf. Thinks that he deserves a remuneration for services rendered, and suggests this in a humble spirit. Has worked hard over the last sixteen months and orders are coming in briskly.
As D. A. Thomas is taking the chair at the Government Direct Veto meeting on the 16th, the Alliance would like to be associated with the South Wales Liberal Federation at the meeting. Could D. A. Thomas raise the matter at the committee meeting? Sir Wilfrid Lawson and Mr W. S. Caine have expressed their intention to be present, but thinks that some member of the government should also be there, preferably a Cabinet Minister. The Alliance is prepared to support any bill brought in by the government, provided compensation is left out. The Veto should take second place behind Disestablishment. Consider that the Direct Veto is 'the most powerful political weapon that the Government could forge for their own defence'.
