Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/289

 Hon. E. I.. Batchelor ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 26 o than Mr. Kingston, Premier of the Colony for six and a half years, was his junior colleague in the constituency during the whole period of that popular and able statesman's unprecedently long lease of political power. Since he entered Parliament, seven years ago, Mr. Batchelor's name has been prominently connected with many efforts in the direction of social reform. He has had charge, for the Labor Party, of various important measures, notably the Village Settlements Bill and Lake Bonney Settlements Bill ; while in 1895 he introduced to the House of Assembly the Referendum Bill, considered to be the most complete measure dealing with that subject which was ever introduced to any English-speaking Parliament. On the much-regretted death of Mr. J. A. McPherson in 1898, Mr. Batchelor was unanimously elected to the leadership of the Parliamentary Labor Party — a most important post when the strength of the Labor Party and its influence on the course of political events is duly borne in mind. After the fall of the long-lived Kingston Administration in December of last year (1899), followed within a week by that of their Conservative successors, the Hon. F. W. Holder, who formed a Ministry from the combined Liberal and Labor parties, offered Mr. Batchelor the portfolio of Minister of P2ducation and Agriculture. W'ith characteristic loyalty to the great cause of which he is so ardent a champion, the Labor leader placed the decision in the hands of his party, who unanimously approved of his acceptance of the position. Mr. Batchelor, it is understood, is the first Parliamentary Labor member in Australia who has joined a Ministry with the full approval of his party. The appointment to the position of a Cabinet Minister of a young man who but a few years ago was working at the bench, and whose intervening Parliamentary career has been but short, however praiseworthy, may in some quarters be regarded somewhat in the light of an experiment. But those who know Mr. Batchelor best, confidently anticipate an entirely successful career for him as an administrator. Anyone less like burly, broad-chested John Burns, the chief Labor champicjn in the Hou.se of Commons, than the Labor leader in the .South Australian House of Assembly, could hardly be imagined. Mr. Batchelor is slight and almost frail of physique, and his face conveys the impression of delicate health. But this Australian possesses equally with the Englishman the ardor in a great cause that alone can make a man a telling force among his fellows. And as John Burns has now succeeded in winning the respect and esteem of even his bitterest political opponents, so has Mr. P)atchelor become one of the most popular and highly respected members of the South Australian House of Assembly. By undeviating courtesy of manner and tone, coupled with a manly modesty of demeanor, he has secured the goodwill of both friends and opponents of his party, while his straight- forwardness and conscientiousness have gained him general public appreciation. As a speaker he is fluent and easy, convincing rather than denunciating. As an organiser he has proved himself a master ; and his past effectiveness in this role is one of the best auguries for his success in the future as an administrator. Mr. Batchelor has the best part of his life before him, and a powerful organisation, commanding some 23,000 votes, behind him. Could any public man wish for better prospects ?