Dangos 1559 canlyniad

The Central Board will be pleased at John Herbert Lewis's proposal to ask the Flintshire County Council to summon a conference of members of Local Education Authorities. The Swansea Authority has already given such an invitation, and he hopes it will be acceptable.

Much enjoyed the hour he spent at No. 65 North Side in 'the unsophisticated atmosphere of the dear children's chat'. Relates anecdotes of the children's behaviour. Has received a letter from Mrs Tom Ellis giving news of 'little Tom'.

Knows nothing of another round table conference. Lloyd George has asked Asaph not to publish the terms of the Chester Conference and wishes another meeting. The terms are unacceptable and St Davids is to blame for the failure - 'We mean to make it warm for him in this County where the Chairman of our Tory Council is on our side!'.

Has received a copy of the draft scheme. Is a supporter of 'the elastic character of the Flints' scheme'.

Cannot attend a meeting on 26 June. Today's newspaper has news of Mr Smith's resignation. It is fortunate that the Association will select the new candidate. Regrets this paragraph has appeared in the press.

Could John Herbert Lewis come down? Mr Smith's health has deteriorated and a general election is in sight. A successor to Smith should be chosen. Could John Herbert Lewis vacate the Boroughs to stand in the County? 'No doubt there is some wire pulling going on among our friends, and I am anxious lest any dissension should break out in the Liberal ranks'. A meeting of local Liberals is needed to discuss the Education Bill and the fiscal proposals. 'The Lead Industry as well as the Agricultural Interest have a sneaking fondness for Protection'. Hopes John Herbert Lewis will be able to help. 'Private'.

A meeting of the Association will be held on 25th June. 'I sincerely hope that the report will not precipitate the resignation of Mr Smith'. Has written to Smith expressing the hope that he will not resign.

Has written to Caeycoch[?] to organize a meeting to appoint a successor to Peter Edwards. Has received a letter from Flint. Encloses a circular letter to be sent out to the sub-agents. There are a number anxious to succeed Mr Smith; discusses the merits of the aspirants. Smith indicated at Christmas that he wished John Herbert Lewis to be his successor as MP for the county. The Rhyl Advertiser has named W. Llewelyn Williams as a candidate. Has written to Williams. 'You see there are the means of a mighty earthquake in the air & unless our friends contain themselves there will be an upheaval & a disruption of the party'. Plans to go to Flint tomorrow night 'to put matters straight'.

Has discussed with Herbert Gladstone the possibility of standing as a Liberal candidate in Wales. Had believed that John Herbert Lewis was anxious to succeed Smith in Flintshire. Gladstone has since stated that the Labour Party might want the seat. Would like to stand in Flintshire if John Herbert Lewis is no longer interested.

John Herbert Lewis's letter was delayed. Mr Smith's stay at Braco, Perthshire, and his deteriorating health. He may be able to recover in due course. Discusses the Liberal candidature in Flintshire - 'They must settle their electoral squabbles among themselves'. Smith is certain to stand down at the election. Will be happy to call at the House next week.

The 'scheme' was outlined in a letter from GOM to R N Hall of Cardiff and was published in the South Wales Daily News and other papers. It was 'mutilated ... and misrepresented ... in a perfectly ridiculous manner' in the London papers. A1/15 is a typescript copy of A1/14.

Encloses a letter from S. P. Kerr which has been shown to Rev. John Owen - 'He says we ought to prepare for the worst & to prevent if possible a party split wh[ich] is inevitable if our friends insist in "paddling their own canoe" which they seemed to be disposed to do'. Suggests that John Herbert Lewis might stand for the County and Albert Spicer for the Boroughs as 'the best means to rescue us from the dilemma of divided interest'. This course would also preserve the seats from 'the machination of Labour Representation'.

Names the superintendent of the Mold, Buckley and Connahs Quay English circuit. A meeting at Mold on Wednesday (to select borough and county delegates) felt that John Herbert Lewis should be given first refusal on Smith's seat, and a meeting at Buckley has agreed. Believes John Herbert Lewis should give the matter serious consideration. Has received a letter from Smith.

Two friends have urged upon him the suitability of David Davies, Plas Dinam, as a parliamentary candidate. Has written to Davies suggesting he contact John Herbert Lewis for information. 'Personally I know nothing of him except that he is the grandson of Dd Davies Llandinam, & the son of Edward Davies, also, that he is reputed to be very wealthy'. Both of the friends are county voters.

Welcomes John Herbert Lewis's comments on David Davies, Plas Dinam, as 'a young man of ability & a good speaker'. Has discussed matters with Rev. John Owen. Hopes the Flintshire Liberal Party can act as a united body. Believes that a candidate should not be selected before October at the earliest as an early selection would lead to dissension in the ranks of the local party. The timing of the general election may well depend upon the outcome of the Barnard Castle by-election. Mr Owen fears the impact on the Boroughs of John Herbert Lewis's going to the County.

Has much interest in politics, but is not yet ready to stand for Parliament. Is likely to be away from home often during the next two years.

Discusses transfers of 'British' Schools. Conditions of transfer are affected by the terms of the Trust Deed concerning continued use of the school buildings by the trustees outside school hours.

John Herbert Lewis has been appointed President of the Welsh National Liberal Council and WHH has been chosen Secretary. Much work is to be done. Could WHH meet John Herbert Lewis and some of his colleagues in London?.

Has calculated the expenses necessary for a parliamentary election in Flintshire. 'My experience of Flintshire, coupled with the luxurious way in which it has been treated by the sitting member, prevents me, however, regarding it as a very hopeful field for efforts in the direction of Spartan simplicity in the matter of electioneering expenditure'. It would be very difficult to cut expenditure - '... I should expect to make more enemies in a month during the contest than in a decennium of ordinary time'. It is important for John Herbert Lewis to become the candidate for Flintshire to avoid a repetition of the Barnard Castle by-election. Wishes John Herbert Lewis or Lloyd George 'to pitch into Finlay on the Appropriation Bill for his laxity in dealing with disqualified Magistrates who persist in taking part in licensing business'.

A meeting of the Flintshire Liberal Association is to be held at the Town Hall, Flint, on August 15th to consider a letter received from Samuel Smith MP. Circular letter.