A. Sidney Davies, Alliance House, Llandaff, Cardiff, district superintendent of the Hereford, Monmouth & South Wales District Agency of the United Kingdom Alliance. Encloses letters to assist their friends in arranging the programme. The post of Secretary of the Federation; would not consider applying against Mr Morgan Thomas and thus risking certain defeat. Approves of D. A. Thomas's plans. The public meeting has its advantages and disadvantages. The writer's outline scheme for the organisation of the Liberal Party submitted to Gladstone in 1886 following defeat at the general election was passed on to Mr John Morley. Outlines in much detail the contents of the scheme. Re-shaping the organisation would be assisted by the provisions of the 1894 Local Government Act. Describes the procedures which he advocates. It is best not to distribute circulars as they could fall into the wrong hands. This organisation would then assist D. A. Thomas in his fight against Cymru Fydd. The lists of District Councillors and Parish Councillors will provide information on the local leaders of the Liberal Party. 'This scheme is very crude & only written from memory, but I am certain that a party so organized must win in the end. Organization highly perfected is the great weapon. If the party is strong it makes it irresistible, if weak it strengthens it.' He is pleased to assist, but cannot help openly as he has to consider the interests of the Alliance. 'I am so strongly opposed to this petty nationality craze that I should view the defeat of the Federation with dismay.'.
Has nothing further to add to the views which he has often expressed on the desirability of forming a Labour and Liberal Association for the Boroughs and the question of direct labour representation. He is glad that Ae disapproves of Alfred Thomas's National Institutions (Wales) Bill and hopes that he will use his influence against the measure.
Notes from the statistics kept by the Miners Benefit Societies that the number of men killed in the counties of the Midlands and in the Monmouthshire and South Wales district are more numerous than in any other part of the country. Could D. A. Thomas give the reason for this?.
He is sending several petitions from Dowlais chapels asking for the suppression of the opium trade in India. D. A. Thomas should ensure that they are presented in the usual way.
He is so busy with official matters that he is unable to receive a deputation from Merthyr Tydfil. He will, however, be prepared to consider any written statement which they send to him, or else they might arrange a meeting with one of the officials at the General Post Office.
Asks for details of the Llandrindod conference the following month. How will the Merthyr district be able to send delegates? Realises that disestablishment is impracticable during the current session. The delay justifies the 'Welsh Revolt'. Regrets that D. A. Thomas's bill for the abolition of Grocers' Licences has also been delayed. Approves of the measure and hopes that progress will be made next session.
The annoyance of local traders at the new Railway Rates has led to several public meetings in the Merthyr area. The Taff Vale Railway Company have increased some of their rates by one hundred per cent. Such an increase is unacceptable as the old rates were already remunerative. The Merthyr Chamber of Trade has sent a memorial to D. A. Thomas and to the Board of Trade. There is much local dissatisfaction especially with the Taff Vale Company. They propose to form a deputation of local traders. It is essential for the Board of Trade to be empowered to 'vary & fix all Railway rates upon a fair & reasonable basis'. At present the railway companies have the power to set the rates 'for the purpose of extorting an unfair & exorbitant remuneration for the service rendered'.
He is grateful to D. A. Thomas for his promise concerning the Commission of the Peace; outlines the necessary qualifications. Believed that these qualifications had been set aside in keeping with the term 'working-men magistrates'. He does not wish an exception to be made of himself but, 'I must confess that since the master has been mooted it has raised hopes that I am reluctant to abandon, and I certainly think that it is absurd for the democracy to make laws that can only be administered by the propertied classes.'.
Extends thanks for the copy of D. A. Thomas's speech on the Eight Hours Bill; considers it 'a very able and masterly exposition of the case'. Waddington of Cardiff and Jeffery of Morpeth spoke at a Conservative open air meeting at Cardiff on Thursday evening. Describes the boisterous Cardiff meeting. A meeting at Troedyrhiw would be useful.
Encloses a copy of the resolution to which Mr Labouchere wishes to speak. The resolution relates to the abolition of the legislative powers of the House of Lords.
Saw Labouchere that afternoon; he is pleased to attend a meeting at Merthyr to speak against the House of Lords. Could two or three dates be submitted to him? Labouchere will support abolition of the House of Lords as a legislative body. Supposes that D. A. Thomas and his constituents are in favour of such a move.
Has heard that D. A. Thomas will accept the Cardiff constituency if offered. Is, therefore, working hard on his behalf. 'The official clique' has secured Ellis's consent. The South Wales Daily News wants Duncan. Alfred Thomas would like the seat, but has no chance. Anticipates 'an exciting struggle'. Transcript of letter A3/6.
The announcement in the Western Mail about Read's retirement. He has formally resigned and refused an offer of £2,000 to contest the seat again. The general feeling is in favour of 'a man of some prominence not too closely identified with Cardiff Liberalism', assuming that Thomas Edward Ellis MP is not prepared to migrate from Merionethshire. D. A. Thomas is the man most likely to unite the party; he has shown much interest in Cardiff recently and might be prepared to stand. Although the majority is not as large as at Merthyr, D. A. Thomas would be sure to keep it true to Liberalism. It would also give him a strong claim to the leadership of the Welsh Party. Could recipient write directly to D. A. Thomas on this matter? The matter should be pushed forward without delay.
He is grateful to D. A. Thomas for his reply to the question as in A1/274. The writer's informant was 'a business man, constantly travelling along the Taff, intimate with many of the staff, and a warm personal admirer of [D. A. Thomas's]'.
Has had a very successful series of sittings of the Joint Constitution Committee, and thinks that the difficulty has been solved. The committee appointed D. A. Thomas, John Herbert Lewis and Alfred Thomas as joint Treasurers pro tem pending the necessary formal elections. It was resolved to issue an appeal for funds to meet the expenses of the Amalgamated Federation League. Everyone was anxious to preserve the mutual understanding already reached. - 'I believe the result will be the most harmonious co-operation of every section of Welsh Nationalists.'.
Received D. A. Thomas's letter when on his way to Aberystwyth to make the preliminary arrangements for the Convention. Regrets that D. A. Thomas cannot accept the joint provisional honorary treasurership. The Committee resolved to distribute the papers relating to the Convention. The writer put D. A. Thomas's name on the paper before knowing of his refusal to accept the treasurership. Could arrange to have it erased if D. A. Thomas wished. Proceedings at the Committee were harmonious, and it was felt that the inclusion of D. A. Thomas's name as one of the provisional officials would 'strengthen the coalition in the eyes of the country'. Hopes that D. A. Thomas would allow matters to stand as they are. He will be at Caernarfon on Saturday.
The Welsh National Convention is to be held on 18 April. The morning session will be devoted to business matters and the consideration of the Draft Constitution for the proposed Amalgamated Federations. The afternoon session will discuss the provisions of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill. Its pronouncements will be considered the authoritative voice of Welsh public opinion. Would like to know whether D. A. Thomas can attend, and how he thinks the Disestablishment Bill should be amended. Congratulations to D. A. Thomas and his colleagues on the satisfactory result of the Second Reading Division.
