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Papers of D. A. Thomas, Viscount Rhondda, including letters to D. A. Thomas on political matters such as working conditions in the mining industry, education, church disestablishment, and the temperance movement, 1891-1910 (mainly 1891-1895); drafts and copies of letters from D. A. Thomas on similar subjects, 1891-1895; miscellaneous letters, 1893-1895; subject files, 1874-1917, on the coal industry, including the Cambrian Navigation Collieries, the Mining Association of Great Britain, the South Wales Liberal Federation, temperance and disestablishment; scrapbooks of press cuttings, 1894-1927, relating to Cymru Fydd, D.A Thomas, Merthyr politics and Keir Hardie, the Lusitania, and Lady Rhondda; miscellaneous items, 1897-1934, including genealogical material and congratulatory addresses to D.A.T.; circulars and memoranda.

They are grateful to D. A. Thomas for helping to secure the interview with Sir George Young. Would like D. A. Thomas's assistance in effecting an introduction to the Commissioners. He is especially anxious that D. A. Thomas should be present at the interview.

Encloses the petition adopted by the Board relating to the 1891 Elementary Education Bill. Discusses the current school fees and poundage received and the proposed abolition of the 17s.6 limit. Hopes for D. A. Thomas's support.

Discusses the choice of magistrates and claims that there is a majority of Conservatives on the bench. Considers that the county of Flint is 'the most badly treated' as there are only two Liberal magistrates in the whole of the county. Merthyr, too, has only a single Liberal Justice. Dr Evans of Mountain Ash is really a Tory and will not support temperance legislation. The writer's opposition to the granting of occasional licences. The support given by Tory magistrates to 'the cursed traffic' and their failure to enforce the 1881 Sunday Closing Act. Hopes for a change in the licensing laws 'to see a considerable curtailment of the Traffic which is fast ruining the greatest country under the sun'. Tory justices 'hinder the advance of useful legislation in the country'. The intended appointment of additional justices at Merthyr and Aberdare.

Several meetings have been convened recently to consider the desirable provisions of a Welsh Disestablishment Bill. Encloses a copy of the Report adopted by the Committee (A1/5).

'Report with reference to Principles of Welsh Disestablishment Bill, November 1892'. 'Strictly Private and Confidential'. The Report is signed by Aaron Davies, chairman, and Fred Llewellyn Jones, secretary.

Encloses a cutting of a paragraph from the previous day's South Wales Daily News - 'the most one sided I have yet seen in the choice of Justices'. Lists the names of the current justices for the county and gives their political affiliations. He is anxious for the appointment of 'thorough going Liberals' to the bench of magistrates at Merthyr and Aberdare. Has thanked Mrs Thomas for her great kindness to the ladies of Merthyr and Aberdare.

Enclose a copy of a resolution passed by a recent meeting of the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society (A1/7a). They request D. A. Thomas to bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The resolution refers to 'the great injustice of compelling Welsh witnesses to give their evidence in a foreign language in our courts of justice. ... It is full time that the judicial bench in Wales should be occupied by judges who are conversant with the language of the people'.

Does not yet know when the deputation is to appear before the Prime Minister, but will let D. A. Thomas know.

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 happy to meet D. A. Thomas at the House of Commons to discuss an improvement in the postal facilities for south Wales.

Agrees that it would be best for the writer and his colleague to have an interview with the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary before the Federation deputation on the same day. Would like D. A. Thomas and Mr Pritchard Morgan to make the necessary arrangements. Hopes that D. A. Thomas and Morgan will speak and vote against the second reading of the bill.

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'.

D. Fleming, Advanced Elementary School, Merthyr Tydfil, president of the Merthyr Tydfil, Dowlais and District Teachers' Association, and four other officials of the Association. Gives a resolution adopted by a recent meeting of the Association on the importance of a motion to be introduced in the House of Commons by Sir Richard Temple on 24 February relating to the desirability of establishing a 'National State aided system of Superannuation for Teachers in Public Elementary Schools in England and Wales'. The Association hopes that D. A. Thomas will support and vote for the motion.

Regrets the delay in responding to D. A. Thomas's note. He is fully prepared to voice the opinions of the constituency before Mr Gladstone in the presence of the federationists, 'but I fancy that they & my friends from other parts of south Wales don't care for our company, therefore I leave it entirely in your hands & the Prime Minister to arrange'. He has written to the secretary, but has received no reply. Is the date fixed for 3 March? Would like D. A. Thomas and Mr Pritchard Morgan MP to attend.

Encloses a circular which he has received from the representatives of the Federation of Great Britain. It is not possible to meet Gladstone together with them. Could D. A. Thomas ascertain whether a separate meeting with the Prime Minister is possible? Should they come up to London on Thursday or Friday?.

Gives a detailed statement (9 pp.) on 'The Defence of Cardiff' addressed to D. A. Thomas as the President of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce.