A POPULAR M.P.

Evening Star, Issue 18288, 30 May 1923, Page 9

A POPULAR M.P.

MR SIDEY HONORED. STERLING SERVICE OVER MANY YEARS. The St. Kilda Town Hall was well filled last evening by a gathering that assembled to honor its popular representative in Parliament, Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P , on the attainment, as one speaker put it, of his political majority. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr H. L Tapley) presided, and had with him on the pUtform the guest and his wife, Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. (leader of the Opposition), and several visiting parliamentarians. The National Anthem "was followed by (elections by the St. Kilda Band, and songs by Miss Duncan, Miss H. Grant, and Mr J. * Oliver, for which the accompaniments wore pUyed by Miss Clara Hughes. Then came the speeches. Mr Tapley said it was his privilege to welcome several members for northern Constituencies, who had travelled hundreds of miles to do honor to Mr Sidey. Ho introduced to them Messrs T. M. Wilford, J. A. Mncpherson (Oamaru), J. Horn AVakatipu), R. Masters (Stratford), E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua), and P. De la Perrelle (Awarua). Mr Wilford, and even more Mr Macphcrson, were received with long applause, and when Mr Sidey’s name was mentioned the gathering spontaneously burst into ‘For He’s. a Jolly Good Fellow,’ which was followed by three hearty cheers. Mr Taphy also congratulated the Hon. Mark Cohen on being present. Resuming, he said it gave him great pleasure to preside at a meeting in honor 6f their esteemed citizen, friend, and member, Mr Sidey. He understood that Mr Sidey was in the twenty-first year in which he had represented Dunedin South. Mr Sidey might well feel proud at the record ne had created by representing cne district for so long. "There were many works (landing to his credit, but he would leave local speakers to deal with that. They had always found Mr Sidey willing to do anything" he could to assist them. He must feel justly proud at seeing such a large gathering", and having on the platform liis political friends who had come so far to be with them. Mr Wilford, who was received with rousing cheers, testified to the worth, ability, and sterling character of Mr Sidey. It "made no difference what parties there were in the House for all to agree on one 'thing—that there was no more conscientious, hard-working man in Parliament than Mr Sidey. (Applause.) None had given more attention to every matter, small or great, than he. In education his name stood as high as any, and with his he would couple the nams of that grand old pioneer, the Hon. Mark Cohen. In education and finance, and in dealing with Sroblems that required a legal training, lr Sidey was facile princeps, and no one was Ills superior in the House. _ Mr Devlin, chairman of Mr Sidey’s committee, thanked the visiting members for their presence, remarking that Mr Wilford’s attendance showed how high Mr Sidey stood in his estimation. He asked the mayor to present Mr Sidey with a framed illuminated address from the electors of Dunedin South, which Mr Tapley did. The address was as follows; The electors of Dunedin South desire to express tel you their-very hearty appreciation of the way in which you have for so many years represented them in Parliament. Your fine record of twentyone years in the House speaks for itself. N'o better proof of the faith placed in vou is needed than that for such a

lengthy period you enjoyed _tho unbounded confidence of the residents of the district, and, indeed, of the community as a whole. Your untiring services in the interests of your electorate, yoar city, and your province, and your work in‘connection with education and a host of other matters too numerous to detail, has been such as to earn the gra-

titude of all. You have ihown yourself to be a man of principle, and all matters submitted to you, whether of great or of little moment, have ever received the closest attention which characterises all your work.—Signed on behalf of the electors by the chairman and members of Mr Sidey’s committee.

Sir W. Kindicy then presented Mr Sidey with a miniature football, in gold, from the Southern Football Club. He referred to Mr Sidey’s connection with the club for twenty-seven years, and said he had played the game in Parliament and had never been olf-side.

Ho was followed by Mrs Ruston, who presented Mrs Sidey with a pair of greenstone and silver carver rests as a token of esteem from the ladies.

Mrs Sidey returned thanks fittingly. Mr Macpherson, who was the next to speak, referred to Mr Sidey as a gentleman whose word was his bond.

Messrs Horn, Masters, Ransom, and De la Perrelle also voiced their esteem for the guest of the evening. Mr Sidey was received with prolonged applause when he rose to reply. Ho said that language failed him to give expression to the gratitude lie felt that night. He thanked those who had _ been instrumental in getting up the social and those who were present that night to do him honor. He was delighted to see his old friend Mr Cohen that night. (Applause.) Mr Wilford had made some very kindly references to himself, but he could honestly do the same for Mr Wilford. The speaker also paid a tribute to the leadership of Mr Wilford, and thanked Mr Tapley for presiding and for his kind remarks. Ho referred to his many warm supporters of the old days, a number of whom had passed away. He might say that he had been similarly honored t.s ho was that night seven years after ha had been returned to Parliament. Ha thanked the Municipal Baad for turning out—it was a credit to the district —and the Southern Football Club for its kindly thought in making him shch an appropriate gift. He had seen the club in the clay* of its prosperity, and he had seen it in the days of its adversity. Ho congratulated the club on winning its first match last Saturday. I (Applause.) He had been extremely fortunate in his constituency in the large number of personal friends who had given him their support irrespective of his political convictions. He did not intend that nigho to speak on partisan politics He might say, however, that he had been a pioneer in putting on the rtatutes the law relating to indeterminate sentences, and he had also brought forward the first concrete proposal for continuation classes. The speaker went on to say that the Executive of the present Government had a pet name for him. Could they guess what it was? They called him ‘‘The Tiger." That might seem a strange name for him, as they might consider him a harmless individual. (Laughter.) But, as a matter of fact, he believed it was because so many of his criticisms got home on the other side.' (Applause.) By a strange coincidence, his sister, when looking through an old book of heraldry, had found a Sidey crest. (Laughter.) The crest was a tiger sitting up on its hind legs holding a Union Jack. (Loud laughter.) In conclusion, Mr Sidey said that the good feeling towards himself showed that the many years he had spent in the public service had been well worth while. (Loud applause.) Mrs Tapley then presented Mrs Ruston with a bouquet of flowers from the Liberal women supporters as a slight recognition of her earnest work in connection with the Liberal Party. After the singing of the National Anthem the hall was cleared and dancing indulged in.