LORD BALDWIN A “NONCONFORMIST”

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1949, Page 6

LORD BALDWIN A “NONCONFORMIST”

He Suggests “Wowserism" LONDON, Feb. 22

The political correspondent oi iiu Observer suggests that ‘'when the tacts mre known, tne circumstances iCcICUIIX IO lild I'cCclll Oi ii/ciri DiilUvviH from the Leeward Islands will oeai a very dinerent complexion from those at present being put on tne,.!. in Lonuon it is generally oeiievcu mat tne recall ot isari Baldwin, Governor oi tile Leeward isiaiicis, was caused by an adverse report put in by the c-urnmanaer-m-uhiei ot tne xlohk. Fleet (Admiral sir KhodericK ivicGrigor) who is reported to have complained oi discourtesy num the Governor wnen the fleet put m at Antigua iasi autumn. Interviewed m London during the weeic-end isari namwui deaitu a import (from the Antigua currespun dent oi the Daily Mam tiiai lie ntu. ever refused to drum the KmgA health or had refused to swrar allegiance to the Grown because he was an atheist, ‘“that is a lie,” he said "it is normal tor 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 lor Him to do so.

fine "Observer’s” political correspondent says: "Extensive re-puns 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 many examples of his democratic behaviour.

“Mr Alexander Moody-Stuart, chairman of the Antigua Sugar Plantters’ 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 dignify usually associated with the King’s representative.’ “The Chief Police 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 Partv.’ ”