THE ELECTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2582, 16 November 1893, Page 4

THE ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir. —Having read your report of the temperance meeting, as published in your issue of Saturday last, 1 would like to draw the attention of those of your readers, who may by chance have overlooked them, to the remarks make by the Rev. Mr Dickson on that occasion. I will not take up too much of your valuable space by copying the whole paragraph but merely quote that portion which I feel to be most at variance with common sense, and ■fthicii reads as follows :—“They would find Mr Flatman free from vice, a total abstainer, and one who would not attempt i to buy votes with a bottle of whiskey. About his general politics he could say nothing as he (the speaker) was utterly ignorant of politics.” If those remarks are to be taken as showing the average understanding of the men who rush into prominent places, and pose as a leaders of the people, the less attention the people pay to such leaders the better. . Mr Dickson stands self-confessed as “ utterly ignorant of politics ” and I am afraid his ignorance is not limited to that subject or he would surely be aware that total abstinence is not the only qualification required in those who are expected to direct the affairs of the country wisely and well, neither does it entitle Mr Dickson to come forward and use the influence he may be supposed to possess to secure the return of a candidate whose time, if elected, will be necessarily passed in the performance of duties'of which Mr Dickson is “utterly ignorant” and therefore unable to judge of the suitability of the gentleman to till the position creditably. 1 do not wish to injure Mr Flatman, and I am a thorough believer in temperance but I wish to draw attention to the fact that so long as the faddist can advance his particular fad, whether that fad be water, or anything else, he is content to overlook the general welfare of his country, and that therefore, these men are unfit to be followed as political pilots. It is questionable if the cause of true temperance is really advanced by the extreme measures advocated by such men as Mr Dickson and his co-workers in the cause of prohibition. Home training and the example of moderation, even in language, will do more for the communtity as a whole, and especially for the rising generation, than closing licensed and well-con-ducted houses, to result in the opening of sly-grog shops for the sale of adulterated rubbish. —I am, etc., “ A.M.D. ”