MR W. BELCHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 32

MR W. BELCHER.

A LIBERAL CANDIDATE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 5. In connection with the return of Sir Joseph Ward and the welcome at the Royal Hotel, the New Zealand Times says: “Among several complimentary speeches Mr W. Belcher, of Dunedin, made a frank declaration in favour of the Liberal party. He declared that, personally, he was pleased to be able to welcome Sir Joseph Ward on his return, and that he felt that Sir Joseph was the man to look after the Liberal interests. He had made a trip Home to England with Sir Joseph Ward, and had heard Mr Asquith Mr Deakin, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and Mr Botha, but Sir Joseph Ward was equal to any of them.—(Applause.) New Zealand was indeed fortunate in having such a man brought up from her own children. It showed that the dominion could produce as fine a typo of public man as any other country in the world. —(Cheers.) He (Mr Belcher) was likely to be a candidate for a seat in the south at the next election. If a Social Democratic (tarty materialised he would probably be found as a candidate in the ranks of that party. If it was found that that party was not strong enough to dominate the House, his leanings would go towards the Liberal party as against the Government now in power.