EARL BALDWIN’S RETURN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27040, 26 March 1949, Page 7

EARL BALDWIN’S RETURN

GOVERNOR OF LEEWARDS NATIVES’ ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME NZPA Special Correspondent LONDON, Mar. 24. Reports from St. John, Antigua, appearing in the London morning papers state that scenes of wild enthusiasm, which at one time threatened to develop into an ugly riot, greeted the return to the Leeward Islands of the Governor, Earl Baldwin. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent says that the great majority of white residents showed their disapproval of Earl Baldwin by staying away, but crowds of natives mobbed the Governor’s car and finally broke into the grounds of Government House, where the police were forced to fix bayonets in order to make them disperse. The police also used batons and whips to beat back the screaming crowds surrounding Earl Baldwin’s car. Cheer leaders flourished banners bearing such legends as “Victory for Baldwin.” One party waved a large Union Jack with “ Brute Force ” inscribed across it. A section of the crowd booed Mr Ronald Cadman, member of the Legislative Council and well-known sugar planter, who was one of the very few Europeans who welcomed the returning Governor. The Daily Mail’s correspondent says that Earl Baldwin gave only cursory greetings to the white representatives on the welcoming committee, but went out of his way to greet his enthusiastic coloured admirers, including the editor of the local Left Wing newspaper. In the evening Earl Baldwin threw open the grounds of Government House to the crowds, who turned them into a gigantic fun fair, singing, dancing, and calling upon the Governor. Only the police guards prevented them streaming through the building.

Earl Baldwin was recalled in February as Governor of the Leeward Islands partly, it was stated, because of a speech he made at the opening of the Leeward Island’s Parliamentary session criticising Whitehall and its officials, and partly because of alleged discourtesy to units of the British Fleet which had put into Antigua in the autumn. While in London he was reported to have discussed various reforms in the islands, the nature of which was not disclosed. When it was suggested that Earl Baldwin would not be returning as Governor, sugar plantation workers threatened to strike. Earl Baldwin’s return was announced after the Colonial Secretary, Mr Creech Jones, had said: “Earl Baldwin has expressed unqualified regret at the nature of statements attributed to him in the press.”