Correspondence with George Herbert Mair, journalist and civil servant, relating to an offer of employment for Mair at the Manchester Guardian, with discussion of Mair's areas of expertise, and political persuasion, the provision of specimens of work, and arrangements for an interview, accompanied by related internal memoranda. Also included are letters of recommendation for Mair from A[lfred] E[ckhard] Zimmern, internationalist, Gilbert Murray, classical scholar and internationalist, and Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh, literary scholar and historian.
There is discussion of Mair's salary, and of his transfer to the London office of the Manchester Guardian for employment as a political and lobby correspondent, with discussion of his new duties and terms of employment. Also included is correspondence relating to discussion of Mair's request for permission to be presented as a prospective [Liberal parliamentary] candidate, the likelihood of election, and the potential conflict of interest with his employment as the Manchester Guardian. There is correspondence relating to discussion of home rule for Ireland, with reference to the number of Irish members of parliament, the Irish Home Rule Bill, and the difficulties of customs and excise.
There is correspondence relating to discussion of Mair's terms of employment at the Manchester Guardian, and notice of his resignation, owing to an offer made to Mair of employment as a temporary civil servant at the foreign office [during the First World War], with an agreement to continue to contribute occasional articles to the paper. There is also correspondence between L. James, army officer, and Scott, relating to an appeal for financial assistance for the education of Mair's children, following Mair's death, which is declined.