MR SIDEY HONOURED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 8

MR SIDEY HONOURED.

SOCIAL AT ST. KILL A. ATTAINING HIS POLITICAL MAJORITY. The St. Kilda Coronation Hall was comfortably filled last night, when a social was tendered to the member for Dunedin Soutn, Mr T. K. Sidey, by the members of his constituency. Tne Mayor of Dunedin (Mr Ji. L. Tapley) presided, and was accompanied on trie platform by a number ot members of Parliament and their wives. .There was a full muster of the St, Kilda Bond, under the leadership of Mr J. Pateraoh,- who led the singing of the National Anthem. Later the band contributed very ■ pleasihg selections. ■ Early in the evening songs were rendered by'Miss Duncan (“Beneath Thy Window ), Miss H. Grant (“The Pipes of Pan ), Mr J. 'Oliver (“There’s Something in the Jtnglish After AH”). The accompaniments were provided by Miss Clara Hughes. The Mayor, who was received with loud applause, said that it gave him great pleasure to have thp privilege of presiding at the function that night, and also welcoming a. number of members of Parliament from outside constituencies. Some of these members had travelled hundreds of miles in order to be present that night to do honour to Mr Sidey. He would introduce the members to them personally. The speaker then called on Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Liberal Party), Mr T. K. Sidey (who was received with musical honours), Air J. A. Macpherson (Oamaru), Mr J. 1 Horn (Wakatipu), Air R. Masters (Stratford) Mr E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua), Mr P- do la Perrelle (Awarua), and the Hon. Alark Cohen, who, the Mayor stated, had come there that night from a private hospital, where he had been an inmate for the past seven months. Each member received a hearty welcome as he rose and bowed ms acknowledgments. Continuing, the Mayor said that the mooting that night had been called to do honour to their esteemed friend and member, Mr Sidey.—(Loud applause.) He was present not only as a member ot Mr Sidoy’s constituency but as spokesman for the citizens of the whole of Dunedin. Air Sidey had represented South Dunedm continuously in Parliament for the past 21 years, a record which any man might bo proud of.—(Applause.) They all knew and realised the great value of the services rendered by Mr Sidey not only to his particular constituency, but to the city ot Dunedin. There were many works which stood as a monument to Mr Sidey s service us a member of Parliament. He was sure that he had earned the appreciation of every member of the Dunedin South constituency.—(Applause.). Air Sidey. must feel justly proud at seeing such a large gathering that night and also at having on the platform witty him such a large number of his political friends.—(Loud applause.) Mr T. M. Wilford, who was received with cheers, said that he wanted to thank them for their kindly welcome. He also wanted to congratulate them on having such a member as Mr Sidey.—(Applause.) He was pleased to como all the distance he had to show his appreciation of Mr Sidey s worth, ability, and sterling character. It made no , difference what parties were in the House or who were concerned in the parliamentary fights that took place, but they must ad agree upon one thing, and that was that there was no more conscientious, no more hard-working, and no more thorough and genuine worker in Parliament than Mr Sidey—(applause)—and ho could say that with absolute truth and emphasis—(Applause.) The speaker went on to say that ho had sat with Mr Sidey for the past 21 years. He had, in fact, been a member continuously for 24- years, and he would have had a continuous service of over a quarter of a century had not peon unseated on the first occasion, like his fiicnds Mr Macpherson and Air Masters,—(Cheers.) Mr Sidey’s name in education and m finance stood as high as any man s they knew of, and coupled with Air Sidey s name in education was their grand old pioneer the Hon. M. Cohen.—(Applause.) Continuing, fho speaker said that they had three parties in the House, but unfortunately there was no party that had a majority that was so immeasurably superior numerically to enable it to carry on the work as they would like it to be carried on. The cause of this ■state of affairs was entirely due to the party miscalled Reform. Mlad the Reform Party earned out its promise and introduced a better system of voting, to replace the second ballot, they •would not have had the impasse which had arisen to-day. Their position to-day was due absolutely and entirely to the broken promises of Reform. The promises of Reform meant absolutely nothing. The Reform Party would have vanished before now if it had not the backing of a large section of the press, vlhit-h, with spaniellike fidelity, covered up the sins of omission and commission of that party, which should have been swept into oblivion long before the present moment.—(Applause.) Blit the signs of disruption were setting in. The Reform Party was proceeding to a crash.' Those who watched the signs of the party composed of Reform would notice that it was unable at the present moment to get a man to take the place of the “second strongest Minister.”—'(Laughter.) The speaker went on, to say that, whether the .Prime Minister went to the Imperial Conference or not, they had got to be represented. That was clear. There were important matters relating to defence and preference in regard to trade with the Home Country. He would suggest, as regards' preference, that Great Britain give some form of subsidy to the shipping companies. This would bring about a reduction in the freights, and the profits of the primary producer would thus be increased. The. foreign policy of the German_ Government was in line with the necessities of its trade for foreign expansion;' and had Germany persevered in that policy it would' have had a strangle hold on the commerce of the world in 10 years time. Instead of that, as they knew, the war party got 1 the upper hand and failed. Ho hoped that whoever represented New Zealand at the next Imperial Conference would bring up:the question of a subsidy on those ships which carried our produce to the Home Country. The drift to the towns he referred to as the “drive” to the towns on account of the conditions in the country. He Suggested that the industrial associations of the country would have to work in co-operation with the State, in order to bring about adequate help to the secondary industries of Now Zealand, both by reducing. taxation on companies and by helpful juggestions in which the industrial associations and the State would co-operate. As an example, ho referred to taxation of 7s 4d in the £ on woollen companies, as compared with 2s 6d in the £ on such institutions as the A.M.P. Society. Was there not something rotten in that ? It was time / some party got into power that was not ‘“leg-roped and handcuffed and bull-dosed” by the large vested interests. —(Applause.) The party he represented wanted to see a commission set up to deal with trusts and combines. These great concerns thought nothing of fines. The fines were passed on to the public, but if they got hold of the people who were running these combines arid trusts to the detriment of the people and imprisoned them, that would check it. The Liberal-Labour Party stood for Empire and for constitutional methods. It believed that the King or the Crown was the permanent core of the widest and most Unchecked democracy in the whole world. Liberalism was a grand principle. It meant for the whole of the people, not some of. the people.—(Applause.) The longer ' Reform remained in office the greater would grow the strength of the extremists on the other side. Liberalism declined to admit class or creed. It was the political religion bred by John Ballancc, carried on by Richard John Seddon, John M’Kenzie, Sir Joseph Ward, W. D. 8. MacDonald, and perhaps feebly by the speaker.—(Applause.) They held out the hand to the Labour Party, telling them that they admired every piece of legislation that the old Liberal-Labour Party placed on the Statute Book. The return to Liberalism and the Liberal-Labour doctrine was going to bring industrial and economic peace to them, and he preached it to them as leader of that party.-(Ap-Kindley (president of the Southern Football’ Club) said that the club desired to show a token of respect to its esteemed friend Air T. K. Sidey, who had been holding office in their club for 27 years.— (Applause.) Dhring all that time any little obfigement they desired was always most readily granted by Air Sidey. At every annual meeting he was with them, showing his interest. They were presenting him with a little gold football, showing that Mr Bidey had played the game well and truly, and had never been offside.—(Applause.) He trusted that Mr oicley would attain lus goal and not bo the second beat, but the best Minister on Air Wilford’s side.-(Ap-Pl Mrs Ruston then presented to Mrs Sidey a pair of handsonje greenstone and silver carver rests as a token of esteem from the people of Dunedin. She said that affection for the recipient would always remain deeply embedded in the hearts of the people of South Dunedin. Airs Sidey fittingly returned thanks for the- beautiful gift which she declared she would treasure all her life. She greatly , appreciated the kind and generous thought

that prompted it. They knew she did not deserve it for she never helped her husband in his electioneering campaigns. He did that himself with the aid of his splendid committee. Words of hers could not adequately express the admiration and' gratitude she felt to those members of the committees who worked so self-sacrificingly and so efficiently as to ensure her husband’s return.—d Applause.) Mr J. A. Macpherson, M.P., had a rousing reception, end was greeted with ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Mr Macpherson said he felt very battered by the high compliment, which he accepted not 50 much in a personal sense but as a token of the “kindling in their hearts of the desire for a return to Liberalism.” They had not been so well posted up' as they had a right to expect by the splendid press that sewed them. Unfortunately the press had not done itself justice in suppressing from the people many of the quite racy things which the people would have enjoyed outside the spirit of partisanship. There was in politics quite a serious side and quite a mirthful, comic side. They had had ample of both in Oamaru during the past few weeks. He was proud and pleased to be able to join with them in doing honour to Mr and Mrs Sidev Mr Sidey he had long known for a true gentleman whose word had always been as good as his bond. He was a man whoso honesty industry, and virtue were not excelled by any member of Parliament the speaker had ever known. He was glad to be present as a representative of that splendid Liberal element that constituted the majority in the Oamaru electorate. The speaker paid a. tribute to the excellent committee that had worked for him, and said that, he was very proud of the election recently concluded. They had established a world s record tor a by-election. Never before had there been a by-election in which practically ao per cent of the electors came out and recorded their votes. That was largely on account of the attitude taken up by Mr Massey. When they thought for a moment of the dignity of the Prime Minister and ot a Minister of Justice who was supposed to be the embodiment of dignity, to think of them coming down to that charming, neaceful country village of Palmerston and requiring some eight or ten extra policemen to guard them, that showed the weakness of their case. Ho had been, pleased to see that the people took un the side that Britishers always supported when they wanted to see justice done. . . veered to the cieumstances under which Mr " '*• ford had been unseated many years ago. Mr Wilford, he said, wrote a letter to assist a man with one hand in getting a position as night-watchman, and that tetter was afterwards used against him; and he lost his seat for doing what every true man and woman in that audience would have done. In conclusion, he again expressed his unbounded admiration for the guest of the evening. ~ , Cheers were given for Mr Macpherson at the close of his speech. , Mr Devlin, chairman of Mr Sidey s committee, expressed his pleasure at finding himself on the platform with the leader and so many members of the Liberal Party. He asked the Mayor to ■ present to Mr Sidey an illuminated address from his constituents. ■ The Mayor expressed his pleasure at performing this ceremony. Addressing Mr Sidey, he said that on behalf of. the electors of Dunedin South he was asked- to convey to Mr Sidey this token of their regard and esteem as outlined in that beautiful illuminated address. They sincerely trusted that Mr Sidey might be long spared to enjoy the privilege of citizenship in Dunedin, and that that district would, also be favoured with his representation in Parliament lor many years to come. The address read as follow?:

T. K. Sidey, Esq., M.P. Dear Sir,—The electors of Xhinedm South desire to express to you their very hearty appreciation of thd way in which you have for so many years represented them in Parliament. Your fine record of 21 years in tho House speaks for itself. No hotter proof of the faith placed in you is needed than that for such a lengthy period you enjoyed the 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, your city, and your province, a,nd your work in connection with education and a host of other matters too numerous to detail has been such as to earn tho gratitude of all. You have shown 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 tho Chairman and Members of Mr Sidey’a Committee.

Mr J. Horn, M.P., paid a tribute to the worth of Mr Sidey. So long as the constituents of D-unodin South had Mr Sidey as their member they would be well served. —(Applause.) Mr 11. Masters, M.P., said that he hoped sincerely that the judgment they had shown during the past 2l years would continue for another 21 years.—(Applause.) Mr E. A. Ransom, M.P., said that the party in power to-day was exhausted, and it was time that fresh blood was introduced into tho House. They required fresh legislation to deal with the greatly altered conditions. For instance, they required an amended land settlement policy to enable them to increase their primary products. He assured the audience . that the old Liberal Party was not down and out. Mr P. de la Porrelle, M.P., said that ho could assure Mr Sidey that if he brought in his Daylight Saving Bill next session he intended to support him. He also paid a tribute to the worth of Mr Sidey. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., who was received with prolonged applauso, said that language failed him to give expression to tho gratitude he 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 honour. He was delighted to see his old friend Mr Cohen that night—(Applause.) Dunedin deserved well of Mr Cohen.—(Applause.) Mr Wilford had made some very kindly references to himself, but j?e could honestly do the same for Mr Wilford. The speaker jilso paid a tribute to the leadership of Mr Wilford and thanked Mr Tapley for presiding and for his kind remarks. He 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 honoured as he was that night seven years after he had been returnod to Parliament. He thanked the Municipal Band for turning out —it was a credit to the districtarid the Southern Football Club for its kindly thought in making him such an appropriate gift. He had seen the club in the days ot its prosperity and he had seen it in tho days of its adversity. He congratulated the club on winning its first match last Saturday.—(Applauso.) Ho 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 night to speak on partisan politics. He might sav. however, that, he had been instrumental in putting on the Statutes the law relating to indeterminate sentences and he had also played a part in introducing 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."—(Laughter.) That might seem a strange name for him, as they might consider him a harmless individual. —(Laughter.) But, as a matter of fact, ho believed that it was because so many of his criticisms got homo 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 logs holding a Union Jack. —(Loud laughter.) In conclusion Mr Sidey' said that tho good feeling towards himself showed that the many years he had spent in the public service had boon well worth while.—(Loud applause.) Mrs Tayley then presented Mrs Rusfon with a bouquet of flowors 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, tho hall was cleared and dancing indulged in.