MR SIDEY’S RETIREMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20536, 11 October 1928, Page 10

MR SIDEY’S RETIREMENT.

THE SPEAKER’S TRIBUTE. “ HONOURABLE AND CONSCIENTIOUS.” (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, October 10. A pleasant feature of the ending of the session of Parliament were the references made to Mr T. K. Sidey’s exit from the political arena by the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sir Charles Statham), There is probably no one in the House who was held in greater esteem by his fellow-members than Mr Sidey, who has seen Parliaments and Prime Ministers come and go during a period of 26 years. To a man who has spent so much of his life in the political atmosphere the sudden leaving of it must come as a great wrench, and apparently that was so in Mr Sidey’? case, for he was not present at the closing scenes last night. All the same he was not forgotten, and both the Prime Minister and Mr Speaker paid tribute to his character and his long service. Sir Charles Statham, in ids final reference to members and officers of the House, spoke in a charming voice, and with quiet humour, iu which lie wrapped up some sly digs at more than one. Coming to the member for Dunedin South ho said; “ Then, I would like to say a word about my friend and collegaue, Mr T. K. Sidey. He has rendered long and faithful service in this House, and though he goes out without the formal title of ‘ honourable ’ before his name, I do not think that any other member has ever had a more honourable career than he. lie must feel his going, but I hope he will find plenty of scope for his activities, not only as chancellor of his alma mater, the Otago University, but in other public work. We shall always remember Mr Sidey as a very honourable and very conscientious member of this House.”