THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1893. THE PAREORA ELECTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2576, 2 November 1893, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1893. THE PAREORA ELECTION.

Mr F. R. Flatman has declared himself a candidate for the electoral district of Pareora, and is determined to go to the poll notwithstanding rumours to the contrary. It is, we think, unnecessary for us to say anything as regards Mr Flatman. From time almost immemorial he has been a member of the Geraldine Hoad Board, and for the last five or six years chairman of it. He has also been for several years a member of the Timaru Harbor Board, and his actions on that body has added greatly to his popularity. (Jn the Harbor Board he showed firmness of purpose, or in other words “ backbone,” which won for him very widespread approval, and also a thorough grasp of the subjects which came up for discussion, a,s well as a very intelligent conception of his duties. On the shingle question he was ail along firmly on the popular side, and when he resigned to test the feelings of the people he was re-elected unopposed. MrFlatman has therefore had what might be termed a Liberal education in local Government, and this is a great thing in a member of Parliament. But this is not all. Ho is a good substantial farmer, as well as a storekeeper, and thus has both a commercial as well as an agricultural training. In the provincial days, Mr Flatman was member of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, and did good service in South Canterbury, Be was also one of

the three gentlemen selected to constitute the Court of Review under the land tax, so that his knowledge is wide and varied. He is besides a conscientious, honest, upright, honourable man, who has the respect and esteem of all who knows him, and what is more than all in our opinion, he is a thorough Liberal and an ardent supporter of the present Ooverment. He is not a Liberal got up for the occasion, but one who has a record of many years. In 1887 he was one of the very few men of any position who supported and voted for the Liberal candidate. In 1890 he was again on the Liberal side. There is a record of six years of unwavering loyalty to the Liberal cause. For this we can vouch without hesitation, and consequently we confidently recommend him to all good and true Liberals as a gentleman to whom they may safely give their votes. To this we desire to add that Mr Flatman was not voting and supporting the Liberal cause with any ulterior motive of one day becoming a candidate. On the contrary, he has very frequently refused to allow himself to be nominated. He has been asked to stand for Eangitata and he refused, and it was only when it was represented to him that he was the man to conciliate the jarring elements in the Pareora district that he consented to come forward. He will have the confidence of the labouring classes, for he is one who is desirous of improving their position ; he is himself a farmer, and certainly ought to expect strong support from that class; he is, taken all in all, the man to win, and we think we shall not be far wrong in anticipating coming events by saying that he will soon be the member for Pareora.