DEBTS AND PROPERTY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 6

DEBTS AND PROPERTY

N.Z. Holdings In Enemy Territories REGISTERS COMPILED The Attorney-General, Mr. Mason, stated yesterday that it had been decided to set up a register of debts and other moneys due to persons and companies from enemies, and a register of real and personal property situated in Germany and Italy belonging to persons and companies of British nationality resident in New Zealand. “The object of these registers,” he said, “is to provide a record of all such debts and property. It does not imply any recognition of the validity of any claim or constitute any guarantee that the claims or any of them will eventually be supported by the Government or met. The register of debts will be used to record claims in respect of debts or moneys (but not property) due to any person resident in New Zealand or any company registered in this country from persons or concerns in enemy territory and also from persons or concerns in enemy-occupied territory, whereas the register of real and personal property is restricted to persons of British nationality resident in New Zealand, or companies registered in this country, with claims to real and personal property situated in Germany, Italy and the Italian colonies and possessions. “An official register has been opened by the British Chamber of Commerce to register claims to real and personal property situated in France (occupied and unoccupied), Coraica, Algeria, Tunisia, the French zone of Morocco, Monaco and French Somaliland. When the register was first established it was restricted to persons of British nationality resident in the United Kingdom and companies registered therein, but it has now been extended to include the claims of persons of British nationality anywhere in the British Empire. Ihus any person of British nationality resident In New Zealand or any company registered in this country may lodge a claim for inclusion in the register. A similar register is being compiled by the British Chamber of Commerce ot real and personal property situated in Belgium and any person of British, nationality resident in New Zealand may lodge a claim for inclusion in this register Though these two registers are unofficial, the United Kingdom Government has undertaken to take them over when completed and hold them without commitment in case it should eventually prove necessary to enter into arrangements for restitution. A smai. fee is payable in regard to these two registers compiled by the British Chamber of Commerce but the fee will be waived in cases of hardship. “A register is also being prepared of debts and of real and personal property situated in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania belonging to persons of British nationality resident in New Zealand. , t , . “Any person who wishes to obtain further information or who wishes to record a claim in any of the registers should apply to the Public Trustee, We.lington, as Custodian of Enemy Iroperty, or to any District Public Trustee throughout New Zealand.”