HC Deb 20 May 1909 vol 5 c562
Captain CLIVE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Petition, dated 14th September, from the natives of the Orange River Colony has yet been presented to the King; and whether he can now state the cause of the delay in forwarding it to the Colonial Office?

The UNDER-SECRETARY for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)

The Petition has been now received and will in due course be laid before His Majesty. It appears that the Petition was received in the Governor's Office the day after he left Bloemfontein on leave of absence for this country, and was unfortunately overlooked.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Will the Petition be laid on the Table of the House in view of the approaching discussion on the question of natives in South Africa?

Colonel SEELY

I will consider that. I think there will be no objection at all.