§ Sir EDWARD SASSOONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances that Kruger sovereigns can only be exchanged in South Africa at a discount of 1s. 6d. per sovereign; if so, whether the Secretary of State would take steps to get the coins called in, so as to avoid further loss falling upon people who accept these coins in good faith and in the absence of any official caution or warning being issued?
§ Colonel SEELYComplaints of this kind were made some time ago in the Cape and Natal, where the sovereigns are not legal tender, but in November, 1907, the Transvaal Government stated that they did not anticipate any difficulty in withdrawing and disposing of this gold coinage in the Transvaal as bullion, and no complaints on the subject have been made to the Colonial Office since that date.
§ Lord BALCARRESWill the hon. Member make further inquiry in view of the fact that on the mails just arriving home there are serious complaints as to these sovereigns being tendered?
§ Colonel SEELYWhat I have said is that no complaints have been received at the Colonial Office. Of course, no doubt complaints may be made. If the Noble Lord wishes for inquiries made of course I will have them made.
§ Sir EDWARD SASSOONHas any order yet been issued?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not think any order has yet been issued. Of course the whole matter is a little complicated by the possibility of the approaching union of South African States, which must involve considerations of coinage. As the approaching union has a bearing on the question I cannot make any statement on the matter at present, but I will inquire further as to the matter raised by the Noble Lord.