MR T. K. SIDEY, M.P.

Evening Star, Issue 14001, 6 March 1909, Page 5

MR T. K. SIDEY, M.P.

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL BY DUNEDIN SOUTH ELECTORS. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P.. was tendered a complimentary social in South Dunedin Town Hall last night by his constituents. The hail was prettily decorated, being festooned with flags and emblazoned with records of Mr Sidey’s career as a worker in the interests of the community in particular and the interests of the Dominion in general. Thus the 250 people present were reminded that Mr Sidey became a member of the Oaversham School Committee in 1890, joined the Cayersham Borough Council in 1892, was Mayor of Caversham in 1894, 1899, 1900, 1901, and-1903, was president of the School Committees’ Association in 1893, was elected to the University Council in 1899, to the Drainage Board in 1901, to the Board of Governors of the High Schools in 1901-02, and served from 1905 to *1909. He was also president of the Dunedin Horticultural Society and president of various athletic and debating societies. His political majorities were 105 in 1901, 444 in 1902, 1,731 in 1905, and 1,850 in 1908. His scholarly and political attainments were recorded thus:—B.A., 1885; LLJ3., 1889; M.H.R., 1901; MJ>., 1908. A greeting cleverly arranged read thus :—“ Kia ora is our greeting. Our member TaKeS some beating.” The platform was tastefully furnished. Mr J. B. Taverner was in the chair, and there were platform, in addition to Mr and Mrs Sidey, M rJ. M’DonaM (Mayor of Dnnedin) and Mrs M’Donald, Crs Walker, Smith, Wilson, Piddis, and Rutherford, Mr J. J. Marlow, Messrs IJ. Roberts, J. Broadfoot, and D. Stevenson, and Mr G. C. Baker (secretary of the Social Committee).

The Chairman said that, as they all knew, the gathering was to do honor to Mr Sidey, the representative of the constituency for many years. Mr Sidey had increased his majority election after election, and it spoke well for him that he had thus retained the confidence of the electors. Although quite a young man, Mr Sidey had done yeoman service in various ways. He must have been a very busy man, for he had got through an immense amount of work. He (Mr Taverner) hoped that Mr Sidey would be Long spared, and have good health to do a lot more for the public.—(Applause.) Mr Baker read a number of apologies, including messages from the Premier, Sir James Mills, the Attorney-General (Dr Findlay), Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., and Cr Cole. From the telegrams sent we make the following extracts; — Sir J. G. (Ward: “Mr Sidey, during the time he has been in Parliament, has been an indefatigable worker, not onlyin the interests of his constituents, but of the Dominion as a whole, and deserves well from those he represents.” Hon. D. Bnudo: “Mr Sidey and myself are old friends. He is much respected in the House, and well deserves your appreciation.” Hon. Dr Findlay: “Mr Sidey and myself have been friends since oar college days, and it would have given me great pleasure had circumstances permitted me to join you in doing him honor, and in reviving with him memories of earlier years.” Mr _J. F. Arnold, M.P.: “My friend Mr Sidey, in my opinion, has served the people of Caversham well, always M riving to force on local matters. As a representative is ever found supporting progressive legislation, and more than once he has placed me under a personal obligation by his help in the cause of the workers.” The Mayor (Mr M‘Donaid) said it was a great pleasure to him to renew his acquaintance with the Caversham and South Dunedin people. During the many years ho had known Mr Sidey be had been particularly struck not only with Mr Sidey’s ability, but with his kindness of heart. At every time and under all circumstances if in his power to do anyone a good turn he always tried to do it. Last year on many occasions he (Mr M'Donald) had to. appeal to our members of Parliament in Wellington in connection with by-laws, or Acts, or street widening, or something of the kind, and amongst ail the members who represented Dunedin he bad always found Mr Sidey one of the first to do everything in his power to help over the difficulty. On all occasions he showed the courtesy of a gentleman, and if not able to do anything one could be sure that he would reply instantly and say so. He heartily congratulated Mr Sidey on having such a hast of friends to help him over the rough roads a public man had to travel.—(Applause.) Cr Rutherford, on behalf of Dunedin South electors, read a draft of an illuminated address, which will be presented to Mr Sidey. on a future occasion. The address was as follows: To T. K. Sidey, Esq., Caversham.— Dear sir,—On the occasion of this social gathering to do honor to you as our representative in the Parliament of New Zealand we think it a fitting opportunity of placing on record our high appreciation of your valuable services ns a member of Parliament and your estimable character as a citizen. We ask you, therefore, to accept this slight tribute of our esteem, and hope you will be long spared to retain the honorable position you now hold, and that the good feeDng existing between yourself and your supporters and friends may continue to the end. Mr Marlow said he had exceptional pleasure in expressing his appreciation of Mr Sidey. In municipal matters, in his political career, and on the various public bodies Mr Sidey was a man one could admire. It was good that the electors should express their appreciation. Too often it was left to the writing of a man’s epitaph to express appreciation. Mr Sidey was not only representing them well in Parliament, hut he was doing good work in many little ways lil#ly to be overlooked, but which involved much hard work. When he had to say “ No,” he said it in a manner that almost convinced one that “No” was the best word for one. Mr Sidey had the great gift of tact, in the portion of the electorate he (Mr Marlow) represented the conviction was that Mr Sidey would have a bigger majority every election.—(Applause.) Cr Walker added a few words, making a point of the fact that Mr Sidey look a great interest in education. Especially Bad he earned the thanks of the public by his efforts in aid of the movement for making the University free.—(Applause.) He hoped to see Mr Sidey attain a higher position. Some day they might possibly see him in the Ministry. Mr P. Roberts referred to election records, and mentioned the cutting up of the electorate, which had robbed them of Caversham Rise, a nice little nest egg, but which had given them Musselburgh, a double-yoked egg. He had known Mr Sidey for thirty-four years, and had worked with him on many different bodies. Mr Sidey was a good man and a good representative. Nobody could say “Boo!” to that.—(Applause.) Mr D. Stevenson, a staunch supoprter of Mr Sidey, said a few words in a homely way. He had been associated with Mr Sidey for twenty-nine years. Mr Sidey was a kind-hearted gentleman, who went about doing good. No man was more approachable than Mr Sidey, who was a good gentleman.—(Applause.) Mr Sidey said that lie hardly knew bow to reply to the exceedingly flattering remarks that he had listened to. He was quite sensible of hie own limitations, and there was no -fear of his needing a larger hat. But he did feel proud of the reception. It was the first time since he had represented that district that a compliment of that kind had been paid him, and he could assure all present that he had not in any way sought it; nevertheless he felt very much impressed by the honor conferred upon him. He realised the labor involved, and appreciated it most heartily. He would have been delighted to have seen a Minister present, but there had been times when he had told Ministers that he did not want them. —(Applause.) At election times Ministers had asked if they should come and speak, and his reply was that if he could not fight bis own battles m his own constituency it was time for Bin* to B0&-* from poKCacs.— (Applause.)

I He took it that one of (be rnaaom for iMf complimentary social was bis victory pi the poll for the fourth time. That poll was a tremendous expression of confidence. The making of so many friends was the compensation for the troubles of an elec- <» two makers that night bad said that he had behaved lila a sonlleman. That terra had recently been used in the sense that it was almost a disqualification for the representation of that constituency, but he felt certain that the possession of gentlemanly qualities was not likely to stand in the way of anyone who had a very warm appreciation for and a very warm sympathy with the masses of the people.—(Applause.) He claimed tb be actuated just as much as any member with a feeling of sympathy for the masses, and he desired to work for the amelioration of their condition. Those who followed actions in Parliament would bear out that statement. He challenged anyone to show any act of his that would not substantiate that datm. The counterbalancing poise for all the worries of a member of Parliament was the fidelity of one’s friends, and that had ' been Jus happy experience. The remark had been made that some day he might be a Minister. Well, he bad not sought that honor, but if he remaine din Parliament long enough office might come to him—(applause)—and if called upon he would not be afraid to take up as a Minister any de- : partment allotted to him. He felt that his ’ past work, not only in the drawing of Hills, but in other directions, was evidence i of a certain amount of administrative capaI city, though he said it himself. He apprecited the testimonial very highly a* «n: evidence of good feeling, and hoped to hand it to his son some of these days, i _ The musical side of the social was enjoyable, songs being well sung by Kira: Johnstone, Mr MNamara, Mr C. V. An- 1 drews, and others, and the dancingof the Misses Ley land and Master M’Kechnie I being duly appreciated. Mr A, W. Pacey; played the accompaniments. The Caversham Band played outside the hall. Messes Barnett and Evans supplied the music for i the dancing. A supper was also provided.