Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. 'I am Chancellor of the Exchequer & consequently second-in-command in the Liberal host'. Received the letter the previous night. Has a further meeting with Asquith that afternoon. Asquith will still introduce the Budget as it is too late to change anything: 'I am so glad because otherwise I might have been overwhelmed with work & worry over the Easter Recess'. The list of the Ministry is to be announced on Monday morning. 'The world says it is a much more dazzling promotion than Asquith's'. Feels an acute sadness that Mair did not live to see this promotion.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. His speech was very well received even by Lord Claud Hamilton and Old Stalbridge. Has proposed that six of them should meet him again and is sure that he has won their trust.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has the family to tea. There was an important Cabinet meeting that day to settle the fate of the Education Bill: 'Birrell wanted to get the Bill through at all costs. I opposed strongly & C.B. sided with me. They wanted Cabinet on Saturday but they put it on Tuesday evening to meet my convenience'.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has taken a day off to play golf with Llewelyn Williams. The story in the Guardian has been contradicted by the 'Naylorites': 'I never thought he would retire. All the same I do not believe there is perfect harmony in the ranks'. Is going to prepare his speech that evening. Will be at Caernarvon on Thursday.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has spent all day with the Directors, and had to adopt threatening tactics. They returned at 5 o'clock with fresh proposals, and the relationship improved.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has seen the County Council. Josard would like to be invited to contest the Boroughs to gain some standing. Is giving dinner that evening to the Cabinet representatives in the Navigation Conference.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has seen Bell and the directors that day and believes that he has settled the railway strike - 'strictly private & confidential'. Encloses a copy of the provisional agreement. All the directors 'have been extraordinarily nice to me. Have won their confidence absolutely'. Is going to Shropshire to a meeting. William George should write to Henley-on-Thames.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has returned for a Cabinet Committee on licensing at 5p.m. Has been playing golf all day at Hanger Hill with Sir Frank Edwards. Dick has not turned up to spend Sunday as expected, and Maggie is very disappointed: 'It is essential selfishness'. Is to dine with Lord Courtney that evening. Includes a note from Megan.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has received two deputations. 'Send Insurance off. It will come in useful now as I shall have to pay a good deal over my new house'. Hopes that William George has received the South Wales papers. The Bishop of St. Asaph has told him that William George 'delivered them a very severe blow over religious education'.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has received three deputations that day and had lunch with a judge of the Australian Supreme Court. Caer's deteriorating health; poor Betty.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has opened a railway at Hampstead. Resolved not to go to Windsor but rather to discuss disestablishment with Elfed and Machreth. Now goes home to prepare for next week's battle.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has just left a Cabinet Committee on education. Alfred Thomas's case was postponed this morning. Would like William George to come up to talk in the office with Roberts.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has had lunch with Dick and a Cambridge friend at the National Liberal Club. 'There was a young Welshman called Ernest Evans - a bright & sensible chap who looks as if something might come of him'. John Morley is much distressed by the imprisonment of his stepson. The succession to Campbell-Bannerman: 'They are all preparing to scramble for it'. Maggie is househunting. Caer's illness. Clifford's letter of sympathy. Is to dine with Massingham that evening. Is undecided when to go on holiday - 'I dread it'.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has had a very busy day which has prevented him from brooding. Still feels profound hiraeth after Mair's death. May play golf the following day. Family news.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has had a good week. Has had lunch with the heads of the Free Church Council and discussed the educational situation. William George will have to give evidence before the. Commission in October. Listened to Seth Joshua the previous night.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has been with the Montgomeryshire Councillors at the Board of Education. Discusses the victory achieved. 'Birrell is being well. He has already decided Barry & Montgomeryshire in our favour & had those Merioneth followers fought they would have shared in the triumph'. The paragraph in the Guardian about Naylor's retirement - 'It is clear that the events of the last few days have produced a deep impression on the Tories. Still he must go on now'.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has been very busy with the Port of London and the Cabinet. 'Swung the Cabinet today on a very important point. Fowler said that he referred to me in his speech last night to his constituents & that the reference brought down the House'. Has met the Bishop of St. Asaph.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has been talking to Winston Churchill for two hours - 'He was very delighted to see me & extremely nice & friendly. I have always liked him & got on well with him'. William George's success on Saturday. Family news. Includes a note from Margaret Lloyd-George.
Written at Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Has been presiding at a conference of shipowners and lighthouse commissioners: 'They complimented me very highly on the way I conducted the proceedings'. It was agreed at that day's Cabinet meeting that his Shipping Bill would be in the Queen's Speech.
