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1925. NEW ZEALAND.

ENEMY PROPERTY IN NEW ZEALAND (FIFTH REPORT ON) BY THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE AS CUSTODIAN OF ENEMY PROPERTY AND CONTROLLER OF THE NEW ZEALAND CLEARING OFFICE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

CONTENT S. Paragraph s Introduction —Progress of work —Factors preventing speedy finalization—Proposals for solution of one difficulty—lmprovement in attitude of German Clearing Office —Attitude of some New Zealand debtors — Explanation of their position—Absence of complaint—Arrangement of report.. .. .. .. 1-8 Pabt I. —Realization and Disposal of Enemy Pbopebty in New Zealand. Amounts credited to German Liquidation Account —Figures to 31st March, 1925 —Proceeds of German property held but not yet credited—Property not yet completely liquidated—Realization of interests in remainder .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. .. 9_13 Custody of German property in the United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Amounts credited to Austrian Liquidation Account—Amounts due to Austrian firms and companies collected by High Commissioner at London from London branches of New Zealand companies—Claim by English Administrator of Austrian property—Position of New Zealand creditors of Austrians .. .. .. 15-17 Release of property of ex-enemy nationals in necessitous circumstances- —Statement of limits adopted on recommendation of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee —Number of applications for compassionate releases received during past year—Offer of assistance from Lord Blanesburgh's Committee —Amendment of British Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, in regard to releases —Release of property of repatriated German subjects and Dalmatians .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18-23 Table giving particulars of amounts released from the provisions of the War Regulations and the Treaty of Peace Order, 1920 —Statement of amounts held under above .. .. .. .. .. 24-25 Part ll.—Settlement of Claims by ob against Beitish Nationals besident in New Zealand. Scope of Clearing Office procedure—References to provisions relating to New Zealand Clearing Office—High Commissioner as London representative of New Zealand Clearing Office—Appreciation of services rendered by High Commissioner, and of assistance rendered by Central Clearing Office, English Custodian of Enemy Property, and Lord Blanesburgh's Committee .. .. .. .. .. .. 26-27 Tables showing position of all claims handled by New Zealand Clearing Office' —Further dividend in respect of compensation awarded against German Government .. .. .. .. .. .. 28-29 Causes of delay in Clearing Office procedure—Extract from report of Controller of Central Clearing Office— Congestion in lists of Mixed Arbitral Tribunal; —Suggestion for appointment of additional divisions of Tribunal with summary jurisdiction—Disposal of contested claims—Agreement between British and German Governments providing for appointment of additional division of Tribunal, for final rejection of claims and for interest upon awards for compensation—Agreement not applicable in first instance to Dominions but Dominions given right to adhere —Not adopted by New Zealand Government but modified agreement submitted for consideration of German Government .. .. .. .. .. 30-31 Einal date for acceptance of claims under Article 296—Claims received during past year. .. .. .. 32 Residence'of claimants —Reciprocal agreements under Article 296 (/) of Treaty of Versailles .. .. 33 Claims in terms of paragraph 4 of the Annex to Article 297 of Treaty of Versailles —Extract from explanatory statement by Central Clearing Office .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34-35 Article 297."0f Treaty of |Versailles —Time-limits imposed for submission of memorials of claims to the AngloGerman Mixed Arbitral Tribunal .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36-42 Clearing Office claim—Right of alien enemy interned in New Zealand during the war to take legal action for the recovery of a debt .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 43

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