Ukers, William H.

Letter, 1931¹⁷⁴

[Mr. Ukers (1873-1954), editor of the Tea and Coffee Trade Journal, New York, asked Gandhiji in a letter dated September 18, 1931, how his plans for a free India were likely to affect the tea industry. America, he said, was "vitally interested because we get 56 per cent of our teas from India and Ceylon, of which India supplies nearly half."¹⁷⁵ The date of Gandhiji's reply is not available.] 

Dear friend,
I thank you for your letter. If and when India comes to her own, it does not follow that the British Indian Tea Estates or any other British interests will be confiscated. On the contrary, every legitimate interest will receive the fullest protection, but the legitimacy of all foreign and other interests will certainly be examined by an impartial Tribunal.