Cylchgronau Cymru

Liberal candidate supporting the National Government".86 In his election address to the Montgomeryshire electorate, Davies stated his belief that the National Government had restored the financial stability upon which trade, employment and prosperity depended. He claimed that the influence of the Samuelite Liberals on policies was inconsequential, and that to some extent Liberalism had permeated both the Labour and Conservative parties. He con- cluded, 'I stood as a Liberal. I was nominated by the Liberals as a Liberal. I remain a Liberal'.87 Clement Davies's unopposed returns to Parliament in 1931 and 1935 in themselves bequeathed a legacy of difficult practical problems to the Montgomeryshire Liberal Associa- tion. The situation was similar to that which prevailed in the county in the first half of the 1920s when the Association had become almost totally dependent upon David Davies's own contribu- tions for financial support.88 Fund raising had fallen into abeyance because of a succession of unopposed returns. Indeed, in 1929 the local Association had been forced to make a Herculean effort to amass the resources necessary to fight a three-cornered contest.89 After all the bills in connection with the 1929 election had come to hand, David Davies's secretary wrote, 'It is fully time that, once and for all, the financial organisation of the Association is made effective'.90 The Association was still in debt by the autumn of the same year.91 In January 1930, it divided Montgomeryshire into seven areas, allocated a financial target to each, and arranged for the collection of the sums due.92 It was claimed that 'an equitable system for replenishing the Exchequer' had been established. 93 In May, the Association refused to make a donation towards the Welsh National Liberal Federation because it wished to give priority to the setting up of "a special scheme in the effort to make the County Association self-supporting, and bring about a subscribing membership basis'. 94 At that time, the Association had a debit balance of about £ 40.95 It is evident that Clement Davies was obliged to shoulder much the same kind of financial burden as his predecessor. Indeed, early in 1929 he had gone so far as to tender his resignation as prospective parliamentary candidate because of the financial obligations involved.96 Small wonder that he was anxious to accept the offer of a lucrative post from Lever Brothers in 1930. In the interview published in the local press in September he spoke out: 'You know they have been spoiled in Montgomeryshire. They have forgotten how to do things for themselves, and they expect everything to be paid for by the Member. It is iniquitous, a legacy of the old regime, but I have put my foot down and won't stand for it. They must be drilled into the right frame of mind and the proper perspective. People who don't pay for things will never appreciate them. What with being bled for subscriptions for every conceivable sort of entertainment, ranging from chapel organs to hospital carnivals; travelling expenses in visiting my constituents '97 ^Montgomery County Times, 2 November 1935. 87Bristol University Library. Special Collections Department, election address of Clement Davies, November 1935. ""J. Graham Jones, loc. cit., p.83, 94-5. ™lbid., p.95. ""N.L.W., Llandinam papers, Garbett Edwards to N. B. Foot, 27 September 1929. *lIbid., Garbett Edwards to N. B. Foot, 4 October 1929. 12Montgomeryshire Liberal Association, Newtown, Mont. Lib. Assoc. minute book. 1920-60. Executive Committee minutes, 21 January 1930. 13Montgomeryshire Express, 28 January 1930. ■"Montgomeryshire Liberal Association. Newtown, Mont. Lib. Assoc. minute book. 1920-60. Executive Committee minutes. 17 Mav 1930. 15Ibid. '*J. Graham Jones, loc. cit., p 94-5 ■* Montgomeryshire Express. 2 November 1930.