LIBERAL NATIONAL CANDIDATE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 24 June 1943, Page 5

LIBERAL NATIONAL CANDIDATE

LIEUT.-COLONEL BELL TO STAND FOR INVERCARGILL Invercargill, This Day. The executive committee for the Invercargill electorate of the National Party unanimously selected Lieut.Colonel William Bell as the party’s official candidate to contest the Invercargill seat at the General Election. Lieut.Colonel Bell expressed a desire to stand as a Liberal-National candidate and the executive agreed to accede to his request. For the last 23 years Lieut.-Colonel Bell has taken an active interest in civic affairs in Southland, especially educational matters. Born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, Lieut.-Colonel Bell came to New Zealand 34 years ago and engaged in farming. When the Great War broke out he went overseas with the main body and served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. He gained his commission in France and in March, 1918, was severely wounded, his left leg having to be amputated. He returned to New Zealand in January, 1920, and settled at Woodlands. He was placed on the retired list with the rank of captain. Lieut.-Colonel Bell has been a member of the Returned Services’ Association for 23 years and is at present treasurer and a member of the executive, also the association’s representative on the Southland Patriotic Council and executive. Lieut.-Colonel Bell is probably best known for his service with the Home Guard. When the movement was formed he was appointed to command No. 12 Area and was later appointed group director with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. —P.A. GREYMOUTH CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS Greymouth, This Day. Mr P. McDonald, of Greymouth, Nationalist candidate for Westland, has withdrawn from the contest owing to difficulties caused by manpower regulations in connection with carrying on his fishing business. —P.A.