NEGLECTED LOYALISTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7723, 5 June 1903, Page 2

NEGLECTED LOYALISTS.

BITTER COMPLAINTS PROM ORANGE COLONS\ u

The correspondent of the "Rand Mail" in Orange Colony sends to his paper several instances of grave injustice to loyalists. Ouo case quoted, telegraphs the

"Daily Mail's" Johannesburg correspondent, is t t.hat- of a -man -whose mules and transport to the value of £5000 were requisitioned under Lord -Roberts's proclamation of 1900. He wa3 promised repayment, and his subsequent claim was for £4500.

Then ensued a protracted correspondence, in which the autnorities indulged in abuse and insults. Finally, \n offei. of £1600 was made, and he was told' to "take it or leave it "—this after the lapse of three years and lo*s of business. The transport is, not now 'obtainable to the same extent for less than £7000. It should be noted that the transport was bought, and not commandetered, under- specified contract, which is now ignored. < . Following the Koorn Spruit disaster steam transport to the value of £2000 was similarly transferred, and commerciul honour has b;en transgressed 'by "the authorities offeriug only ±J6OO, ana no compensation for three years' loss of the en-

gine. » The correspondent states, that the attitude adopted towards these loyalists would be- considei-ed a gross insult by a Kaffir. The -Military Compensation Board, he says, is a- farce, the claimant being disallowed legal representation and not Being crossexamined. It iy maintained, moreover, that the judge and court ore not sufficiently experienced to weigh evidence. The continuance of thijs scandalous treatment is inducing loyalists to suggest the subversion of military boards in favour of a civil tribunal.

The bitterest possible resentment is also being provoked because claims for worthless "property and wretched cattle by the Dutch are being dealt with end settled as fast as "the' central board can sign deques, while the loyalists who bore the 'burden through the 'heat of the day are left with the feeling that they cannot afford to be Englishmen when Ho do so spells xuin. The " Rand Mail," in a leading article, saj-s : " Loyalty pays only the 'innn who arrived after the war, and who secure snug billets under the Government. Undoubted breaches of fqfith by the military are resulting in the alienation of the best loyalists of Orangia." •