THE INDEMNITY QUESTION.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15046, 14 April 1919, Page 5

THE INDEMNITY QUESTION.

STATEMENT BY MR BONAR LAW. .

METHODS OF COLLECTION.

*Austraiiau and N.Z. Cable Association)

London, April 3. A full House eagerly awaited Mr Bonar Law's reply in the indemnities debate. He said two things must be borne m mind—the amount Germany could pay and the amount tnu.; -able to the Allies. It was impracticable to secure a large sum by means of labour in devastated areas. It was •obviously proper for the Allies to secure shipping of an estimated value of £100,000,000. Gold and securities did not exist in Germany in any great quantity. The other method of payment was transference of goods by means of surplus of exports over imports, ■ but before the war the imports exceeded the exports, the latter amounting only to £500,000,000. Further, Britain had no desire to receive goods to compete with her own industries.' Germany could pay largely in credits over a long period if the amounts were kept within her power to meet them.