§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)On behalf of the hon. Member for Hawick Burghs I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction in the new African Colonies owing to the 559 failure of the authorities to honour the military receipts for goods and stock supplied during the war; and whether he can facilitate the disposal of claims with despatch, or authorise interim payments in cases of severe distress.
§ * MR. LYTTELTONA certain number of complaints have been brought to my notice, but in view of the complexity of the work I am not prepared to say that there has been undue delay. I am making inquiry as to the progress of the work.
§ SIR JOHN LENGOn behalf of the hon. Member for Hawick Burghs I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the action of the authorities of the Orange River Colony in reference to the treatment of a claim by A. J. Griessel, Bloemfontein, for the honouring of military receipts granted during the late war and dated in May and November, 1901; and whether, seeing that the authorities at first denied the existence of the receipts, then admitted the same but refused payment on the ground that two sons of the claimant had rejoined the enemy, and finally, on it being explained that the claimant aged thirty-four had no sons but only a daughter aged four years, promised further consideration, he will state what consideration has been given; and whether, in view of the claimant's circumstances, he can arrange that payment of this claim shall be made.
§ * MR. LYTTELTONI have no information with regard to this claim but will make inquiry.