Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/377

 Mr. J. Darling, jun. ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 351 The efforts of the firm were severely taxed to cope with the increasing trade, while considerable exertions were used in opening up influential relationships with British and foreign commercial houses. To expedite and assist matters in this direction, Mr. Darling made an eminently successful trip to England by way of America in 1881. Another visit to the home country was undertaken in 1894 by Mr. Darling, jun., in the important interests of the firm. The nature of its commercial pursuits necessitated close association with the leading marts of the United Kingdom for the export trade. The firm has established its claims to be considered among the largest grain merchants in Australasia ; and it has branches in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Mr. Darling, jun., has identified himself with many ccjmmercial ventures outside his own particular business as a wheat and grain merchant. In intercolonial and coasting shipping he has been largely interested for the last 27 years ; and he has held the responsible post of President of the General Employers' Union of South Australia. This honorary position is by no means a sinecure. On the contrary, the efforts, energies, and skill of its prominent members and officials have often been called into active and an.xious requisition. The presidential office holds within its province the lever for much good and harm in the relations obtaining between employer and employe, and dii)lomacy, tact, and discretionary judgment are not only in constant exercise, but are indispensable to the safe guidance of the Union. He has also been Director, for several years, of the Port Adelaide Dock Company, and has also occupied the presidential chair of the Shipowners' Association of South Australia. His interests in mining centre largely round the famous Broken Hill mines; and in 1892 he was appointed a director of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company. His able .services as President of the South Australian Chamber of Commerce in 1891, also in 1899, gave abundant proof of his comprehensive knowledge of commerce and finance. In April, 1896, Mr. Darling, jun., was returned for the electorate of East Torrens, and as a parliamentary representative he has more than exceeded the favorable expectations formed of his political capabilities. He has proved himself an earnest politician, careful of the interests of his constituency, and zealous for the prosperity and well-being of the Province in which he has so large a stake. As an authority on finance, he has few peers in the House of Assembly. The princi])al grain supply of the firm of Darling & Son has lately been drawn from the Riverina and X'ictoria, there being a compulsion to fall back on these places owing to the disastrous seasons South Australia has unfortunately experienced of late years. Mr. Darling sen., retired from the business in October, 1897, since which time the subject of this sketch has been sole proprietor. On November i, 1900, Mr. Darling- purchased the goodwill of the business so long carried on by Messrs. J. Dunn & Co., together with their Eclipse Roller Elour Mills at Port Adelaide. His commercial success merits the congratulatory admiration of all who can appreciate the magnitude of the business reared, developed, and extended by his own skill and perseverance. Mr. Darling bears with him that influential authority that ever accrues to the acknowledged virtues of a savant. His superior standing in the ranks of Australian commerce, his uncommon financial and business qualifications, have attracted to his respected personality profound regard and marks of general esteem.