IN INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1931, Page 5

IN INDIA

MR BALDWIN’S STATEMENT

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph..—Copyright i

LONDON. Alarch 8

Repudiating the charge that, he was committed to a policy ol withdrawal and surrender in India, Air Baldwin, speaking at Newton Abbot said mat neither he nor the Conservative garty had the remotest intention of shuffling out of their essential responsibilities or sin rendering any <s~etitial saleguards. .Many grave difficulties bad to be .surmounted before the realisation of their ol>ie:tive in an all India Federation was achievable. .Meanwhile lie intended to give full support to the Goverinmait of India in maintaining l.av and order and insist that any futu:e settlement ol the Indian U.mslilution contain a provision prohibiting unfair discrimination against British trade. He was prepared to stop Russian competition even if it meant denouncing the trade treaty, as he believed Russia was the greatest potential danger to Britain's industrial development. Ho wanted a free hand to deal with the Dominions, even if it involved a tariff against foreign foodstuffs. He thought they would he able eventually to make agreements securing the principal share of the .Dominion’s markets for British manufactures.

Air Baldwin concluded with an invitation. obviously directed to tin* Liberals to join in the task of national restoration,