EARL BALDWIN’S GOVERNORSHIP

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25736, 23 February 1949, Page 5

EARL BALDWIN’S GOVERNORSHIP

OPINION DIVIDED IN LEEWARD ISLANDS REPORTED COMPLAINT BY ADMIRAL MCGRIGOR (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 21. It is generally believed that the recall of Earl Baldwin, Governor of the Leeward Islands, was caused by an adverse report put in by the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet (Admiral Sir Rhoderick McGrigor), who is reported to have complained of discourtesy from the Governor when the fleet put in at Antigua last autumn.

Interviewed in London during the week-end, Earl Baldwin denied the report. (from the Antigua correspondent of the “Daily Mail”) that he had ever refused to drink the King’s health or had refused to swear allegiance to the Crown because he was an atheist. “That is a lie,” he said. “It is normal for a nonconformist to affirm and not to swear.” He did not salute when God Save the King was played because, as the King's representative, it was not proper for him to do so. The political correspondent of the “Observer" suggests that “when the facts are known, the circumstances leading to the recall of Earl Baldwin from the Leeward Islands will bear a very different complexion from those at present being put on them. Extensive reports dealing with reactions in the Leeward Islands are now reaching London. These show that the islands’ population is sharply divided on the question. “Many Europeans, including leaders of the white community, claim that Earl Baldwin has been inefficient, and has failed to maintain the prestige of his office. The majority of the coloured people, on the other hand, support him and approvingly cite manyexamples of his democratic behaviour. Council Member’s Attack “Mr Alexander Moody-Stuart chairman of the Antigua Sugar Planters’ Association, and a senior member of the Governor’s Executive Council, has been outspoken in his condemnation of Earl Baldwin. ‘I am sure Earl Baldwin’s trip to England is not the result of any representations made by anybody connected with the sugar industry,' said Mr- Moody-Stuart. ‘Those connected with sugar here have no differences with Earl Baldwin regarding the -islands’ main business, about which he knows nothing and seems to care less. He has never visited a sugar factory or a plantation or shown any interest in the workers in the sugar industry. “ Of the six Governors I have known and worked with here, he is easily the worst. This is a view which is shared by many of my colleagues and friends. He has understood nothing of the duties required of governors, and he appears unable to concentrate upon any matter long enough to bring it to a conclusion. His chief pleasure seems to be in upsetting the tradition and dignity usually associated with the Kings representative.' // i e . Commissioner (Colonel Reginald Branch) restricted himself to the comment: ‘Sometimes his Excellency does let down the white prestige here.’ “The coloured - Mayor of Antigua (Mr Sydney Christian), who described himself as a Labour supporter, said he had had high hopes of Earl Baldwin when he went to the islands, but these had been disappointed. ‘He has talked much and has done nothing,’ he said. ‘He has let down the Labour Party.' ”