REPARATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 76, 31 March 1919, Page 5

REPARATION

ALLIED PROGRESS,

(Auat. & N.Z. Cable Assn. & Reuter)

■PARIS, March 24. Mr Keith Murdoch writes: “The Big Four (Britain American, Franco and Italy), are getting to close agreement on the reparation question. Experts refer repeatedly to the figure® of twenty-five milliards of francs immediately and six or eight milliards of

francs annually for at least thirty years hence. It is. understood that'Australia’ amended claim presented last week approximates £350,000,000. “BIG FOUR” IN AGREEMENT. (Rec. March 31, 10.10 a.m.) PARIS, March 27. Newspapers state that the “Big Four” ha’ve agreed respecting the amount to be demanded from Germany and also the main features of the genral treaty which will be sent to the Council of Ten, whose considerations occupy twelve days, when the scene will be removed to Versailles (where the treaty is to be signed).

FINANCE AND TRADE

PARIS. March, 27. A German commission of .six Handers has bedn instructed to come to Spa, after whic hthey will receive instructions as to the meeting place in France, there to consult on means of the payment for food supplies and on the question of the realisation of Germany securities for that purpose The "Supreme Economic Council has iruvittfef ineutrals .joining Germany to send delegates to. discuss transitional questions of finance between them and the Allies. The invitation has been accepted.

Under the Brussels conditions Germany is allowed to export certain commodities, but under Article 3 the export of• coal; ■ timber, dyestuffs, iron and steel products, sugar, glass and electrical ;«nd certain other machinery is provisionally prohibited .It is now agreed that the Allies shal have a preemptive right to purchase • two-thirds each of these commodities. The remaining third can be - to other countries, the proceeds of the sale to be applied > in payment of food. This arrangement will be abrogated after a preliminary peace is signed.