Papua

War Damage

Claims

Official Inquiry in Papua

MR. W. J. HITCHCOCK, Controller- General of the Australian War Damage Commission, with Mr. H.

W. Swanton, assistant secretary, and Mr.

John F. N. Murray, FIS (Eng.), PCIV (whose services have been made avail able by the courtesy of the Federal Land Tax Department) are visiting Papua to obtain first-hand information regarding war damage claims lodged with the Commission.

The Commission is taking active steps to carry ,the investigation and recording of claims to a stage where payment can be made at short notice, when the time arrives for settlement.

The Commission has stated that, except in cases of distress, or where payment is necessary for war purposes, payment of war damage claims will not be made until after the war, in accord ance with the policy then to be deter mined by the Government. On this point, however, the Pacific Territories Association is making a special appeal to the Government.

Any claimants who have not sent in all available particulars of their claims have been requested to communicate with the Commission.