CROWDED HOUSE HEARS THE APOLOGY

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 February 1949, Page 5

CROWDED HOUSE HEARS THE APOLOGY

a crowded House heard Mr. Belcher announce his resignation as a Member of Parliament. Mr. Belcher, after thanking the Speaker for an opportunity of making a personal statement which he felt he owed the House, the country and himself, began by apologising for the part which any injudicious actions of his, or indeed any indiscretions, had played in bringing about the inquiry, which focussed unwelcome publicity upon the Government, the Board of Trade, and. indeed, upon the whole of their democratic institutions. Mr. Belcher said he truly regretted that he had played some part in bringing about that result, “yet my regret is tempered by a knowledge that most of the wilder rumours affecting Ministers and others have been dispelled.” He hoped that no attempt at political capital would be made out of what had transpired. They were all interested in maintaining the dignity and honour of democratic institutions, and it would not be helpful if either side attempted to use an unfortunate position in that way. Mr. Belcher also expressed the hope that what had happened would not impair the honour of business transactions. During the past three years he had been in close contact with representatives of every kind of business and industry, and he had found an overwhelming majority of honest, hardworking individuals, putting the country’s needs first. He regretted that as a result of the tribunal there had grown up a reaction with a racial basis.

He had suffered and was suffering, but he deplored any growth of racial antagonisms because of the activities of a minority. There should be no bitterness. “GRIEVOUS EXPERIENCE.” Mr. Belcher said he was conscious of the limitations imposed on him by the procedure adopted at the inquiry. He was not able to know in advance the nature of the allegations against him. “I felt throughout that matters were admitted and things said which appeared hardly relevant, but which must have a damaging effect, on my name and reputation. It was a most grievous experience to witness my wife being questioned about intimate details of her private life, into which I have never inquired myself.” Mr. Belcher said that a careful scrutiny of the evidence would show not one shred of evidence that he had been influenced in his decision on the case of Sherman’s prosecution by any benefaction or any friendship. “It is because I desired to be scrupulously fair to somebody who, throughout the course of the tribunal, maintained that I was victimising him that the prosecution was stopped.” Mr. Belcher said he had not been conscious of a deviation from the path of morality and rectitude. “Had I been a criminal convicted in a criminal court there would have been an appeal against the verdict. I have no appeal except to the hearts and minds of those listening and who will read my words.”