H.—25

10

PART lI.—SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS BY OR AGAINST BRITISH NATIONALS RESIDENT IN NEW ZEALAND. 26. As previously explained in my reports, the Clearing Office procedure is limited in general to the settlement of pre-war debts between British nationals resident in New Zealand and German nationals resident in Germany, and no similar procedure is available to New Zealand creditors of nationals of the other ex-enemy Powers. Such persons are entitled to collect their claims direct from their debtors. The provisions relating to the Clearing Office between New Zealand and Germany will be found in Article 296 of the Treaty of Versailles and the Annex thereto, and the following Orders in Council :— Order. Reference in New Zealand Gazette. Treaty of Peace Order, 1920 .. .. .. Gazette Extraordinary No. 57, 7th June, 1920. Treaty of Peace Amendment Order, 1922 .. .. Gazette No. 46, 15th June, 1922. Treaty of Peace Amendment Order (No. 2), 1922 .. Gazette No. 73, 12th October, 1922. Treaty of Peace Amendment Order, 1923 .. .. Gazette No. 74, 18th October, 1923. Treaty of Peace Amendment Order, 1924 .. .. Gazette No. 4, 24th January, 1924. London Agent of the New Zealand Clearing Office. 27. The High Commissioner has continued to act, as in previous years, as the London representative of the New Zealand Clearing Office, and I again have pleasure in acknowledging the entirely satisfactory manner in which the duties falling to the High Commissioner and his sta.ff have been performed. If the services of the High Commissioner were not available the work of this Officewould be rendered much more difficult. I further desire to express again my thanks for the assistance which has always been rendered freely by the Controller of the Central Clearing Office, and the British Custodian of Enemy Property and also to Lord Blanesburgh's Committee. The wider experience which these officials derive from the much greater number of matters dealt with enables them to impart, as they willingly do, invaluable advice upon those matters of exceptional difficulty arising within the jurisdiction of this Office which are submitted to them for advice. Total of Claims received for Settlement through the New Zealand Clearing Office. 28. The following table shows the total amount of the claims by or against German nationals or the German Government received for settlement through the New Zealand Clearing Office to the 31st March, 1924, and 31st March, 1925, respectively. The total of the additional claims received since the last report is given in the third column : —

Progress regarding the Disposal of Claims. 29. The following table indicates the progress which has been made in connection with the disposal of claims lodged through the New Zealand Clearing Office as at the 31st March, 1925 :— (a.) Claims by New Zealand Nationals against German Nationals under Article 296 of the Treaty of Versailles. 171 claims lodged in New Zealand and forwarded to the German Clearing £ s. d. £ s. d. Office through the Central Clearing Office, London .. .. 34,665 15 5 45 claims lodged with the London representative of the New Zealand Clearing Office .. .. .. .. .. .. 18,368 8 3 53,034 3 8 Claims withdrawn in whole or in part by the New Zealand Clearing Office in response to contests received from the German Clearing Office and in accordance with the instructions of the claimants .. 19,279 12 7 Claims admitted by the German Clearing Office in whole or in part .. 22,654 3 2 41,933 15 9 Balance, being claims still under action as follows : Eighteen lodged in New Zealand and four claims lodged in London ~ . . £11,100 711

31st March, 31st March, T 1924. 1925. Increase. Claims under Article 296 of the Treaty of Versailles :— £ £ £ (a.) By New Zealand nationals against German nationals .49,249 53,034 3,785 (6.) By German nationals against New Zealand nationals .. 208,337 210,177 1,840 Claims under Articl 297 of the Treaty of Versailles : — (c.) By New Zealand nationals .. .. .. .. 52,725 52,732 7 Totals .. .. .. .. £310,311 £315,943 £5,632