THE WAR CLAIMS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11511, 18 February 1903, Page 8

THE WAR CLAIMS.

MR CHAMBERLATN AND LORD. MILNER. There were some controversial speeches at a banquet at Pretoria on January 6th. which was attended by the chief realdents, x-ritish and Dutch. Mr Greenlees, a lawyer, who proposed Lord Mikiers * « health, wanted Crown Colony Govemmeot,* , ' with a little less Crown and a little more • . Colony. The period of probation seemed ?'.';" to him unduly prolonged. '-;§ Lard uuilner said he had now shuffled 'Vt off tho great burden of his adrmnistration 3 on to the shoulders of Sir Arthur Law-ley? ' and he asked Mr Greenleea to come to . & lunch next day, when he would be de- ' " lighted bo listen to hinu Mr Clhamberiaan had a most entliusiastio °" reception on rising to respond to the toast T of his health, proposed by the chairman, - Mr Loveday, president of the local Municipal Council.

The Colonial Secretary said he was now n what was, and what he hoped would I always be, the capital of. the Transvaal; and he went on to advocate a policy of • I union and conciliation, with the proviso that it was of no use to make conces-, sions if they, were to be interpreted as signs of weakness, and as merely the pro' . lude to other demands. Referring to thl" remarks of Mr Greenlees, the right hoo; gentleman said his Majesty's Government desired as much as anyone that the time should come when they could give the new colonies self-government. In . his opinion the most urgent question was ths settlement of the claims for compensation; i and Lord Milner and himself had agreed; upon a scheme which- would-'materially hasten the payment,of claims. AH claims ' ; would'be'carefully considered. Two mil? lions of tho Imperial money had been paid,' ' and more would be forthcoming when the inquiry was completed. They would not forget those who had served them. He . .. would discuss the matter of the contribu- , tion with representatives of all classes; - including the capitalists, who would . n<» doubt contribute the most. The working - classes were also concerned. He- would ■ .-£■ make two declarations. The Government . v - did not intend to do anything which would ' j unduly increase the burden of taxation, or hamper prompt and reasonable develops vi ment. They wanted no grudging contribu.,> - tion. They wanted nothing from ths Transvaal that it would not willingly givf, as a self-governing colony.- . He would rather go back to England empty-handed than with arrangements extorted from an unwilling people. When the matter was discussed they would have an overwhelming case for a reasonable contribution of the ' colony towards the war cost. The speech was received with enthu« , siasm.