Political.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 30, 25 October 1902, Page 3

Political.

“A UNITED SOUTHLAND.”

[Br “ South lander.”]

The Member for Wallace. Another young Southlander who, 1 by sheer industry, ability, and perseverance attained to the distinguished position of Parliamentary representative, is Mr Gilfedder, the member for Wallace. Mr Giltedder received his early educational training at One Tr’ee Point school, in which district, his people being farmers, he followed for some time agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he worked his way to the Dunedin Boys’ High School, the Training College for teachers, and the Otago University. As a young man he was engaged in the sawmilling industry for five years, and has a thorough knowledge of every department of the timber trade. Since entering public life he has taken a keen interest in the sawmill workers, whose welfare, individually and collectively, he has always endeavoured to promote. Mr Gilfedcier has since boyhood been associated with athletics, and was the first to introduce sawing and chopping events at InvercargillHe entered the teaching profession in 1886, and an intimate knowledge of educational matters acquired during his subsequent ten years of teaching enabled him, on entering Parliament, to voice the opinions of the teaching profession respecting anomalies in the educational system, and to advocate several important reforms, particularly the adoption of a colonial scale of staff and salaries. For the important part he took in assisting to place on the Statute Book the Staff and Salaries Act, which has proved a boon to the teachers of Southland, Mr Gilfedder has received the thanks of the profession. Amongst other reforms he has uro-ed the unification of the education system, the uniformity of school books and examinations, the exchange of teachers, and the centralisation of the inspectorate, as well as, more adequate allowances to committees. He has also endeavoured to make better provision for instruction in sewing, and has urged the desirability of providing a superannuation scheme for teachers. Mr Gilfedder has always evinced an interest in the well-being of the railway employes, and as Chairman of the Superannuation Committee did a great deal to secure the passage of that beneficial and popular measure. As a member of the Mines Committee, be has a knowledge of the wants and difficulties of miners, which he has been able to utilise for the advantage of a large portion of his constituents. Mr Gilfedder has, during his six years of parliamentary life, displayed marked energy in attending to the innumerable requirements of his large electorate. He took the trouble at the outset to make himself thoroughly acquainted with every part of his constituency. The track to Preservation, the Waiau bridge, the extension of the railway from Orepuki, and scores of roads, bridges, and tracks in all parts of Wallace, bear eloquent testimony to the alertness and persistency of its representative. By strong advocacy, by attentiveness and energy, as well as by his popularity with Ministers and members, Mr Gilfedder has continued to secure more votes for his district than almost any other member in the House. In 1900 Mr Gilfedder organised the “ Boxer Party ” to protect the struggling industries of the Colony, and championed the claims of the Orepuki Shale Works. Although a bonus of £SOOO was paid, the further assistance urged by the, member has not yet been granted. The prospect of success is encouraging, because persistency will win the day. Mr Gilfedder has proved himself the friend of the back block settler, whose lot he has always sought to improve. He has, in season and out ot season, urged upon the Government the desirability of

of opening up the surrounding country by constructing roads and bridges, by telephonic communication, by railway facilities, by reducing freights and by the opening up good markets for our produce. As a member of the Waste Bands Committee Mr Gilfedder has done good work, and in the last parliament was one of the few men who won the heart of the late Sir John McKenzie for his unswerving loyalty and his support of the land policy of that grand old Highland chief. The Wairarapa Beader of August 20th, 1902, says : —“ Fluent of speech and careful of facts, M. Gilfedder knows just when and how to strike. He is an authority on matters educational, and a sturdy advocate of the farming community. He was for years a dominie, but is a typical young colonist, for be has roughed it in the bush, and can wield an axe with most men. With little of the spirit of parochialism in his composition, he yet succeeds in conserving the best interests of his constituency. But when large questions come before the House he has advice to offer, and he strengthens his arguments with the results of research. He is one of the men who went through the trying period when the Liberal Party had to fight sternly and strenuously for its existence. It was then seen how keen a blade he wielded in debate, and how complete was his knowledge of men and their ways. We recognise that he has won hia spurs, and that no more doughty knight ever donned harness before entering the lists. We can well remember bis entry into political life, his early speeches, his carefully prepared perorations. With the readiness of his race he can take part in ‘ holding the fort ’ against the enemy, and is never at a loss for effective language, nor is there any hesitancy in rejoinder. In committee Mr Gilfedder has shown the same grasp of detail which characterised him in the House, and in watchfulness for his district he is unsurpassed. He has the will power and the ability which makes it possible for men to reach their ambition. It is not too much to say that Mr Gilfedder has a future before him. He will make his name in politics by the same masterfulness that has characterised his efforts through life, and as the years roll by he will loom larger on the political horizon. The people of Wallace have in Mr Gilfedder a tried and true friend, and an able and judicious member of Parliament.” It is unnecessary to say that “ Southlander ” endorses the sentiments of the worthy editor of the Wairarapa Leader.