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Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1931, Page 4

In April, Lord Irwin’s term of office as Viceroy of India expires, and Viscount Willingdon who is retiring from his position as Governor-General of 'Canada, has been appointed to succeed him. He is leaving for England this week to make preparations for his new duties; and so far his appointment has been universally approved. As a matter of fact, there are few men so well fitted as Lord Willingdon to hold this onerous and responsible position/ He was Governor of Bombay from 1918 to 1919, and Governor of Madras from 1919 to 1924, and in the last year he represented India at the Assembly of the League- Madras from 1919 to 1924, His period of eleven years’ service in India should qualify him adequately for the duties that he has now to undertake. Lord Willingdon knows much of India intimately, he understands the native character, and he has always striven to break down the racial and social barriers Hint have so kept the British and the Indians apart. But he has not only shown tact and goodfeeling in dealing with the natives; he has proved his courage in more than one serious emergency. When Gandhi’s first campaign of “non-co-operation” led to outbreaks of violence. Lord Willingdon insisted on his arrest, threatenening to send in his own resignation if his advice were rejected. Re. sourceful and resolute, yet courteous, sympathetic and considerate, he may prove himself the very man needed to cope with the situation that may speedily develop in Tndia now the Round Table Conference has closed.