REPARATION
THE HUNS' INDEMNITY TO NEW ZEALAND
STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY
By TeloeraDU-SDCctai Reporter. Waiukuj Novwnber 13. Some mention of the subject of reparation as applying to Now Zealand was made by the Prime Minister in his speech at Waiuku to-night. Mr. Massey quoted an article of tho Peace Treaty to 6how what provision had been made for reparation. According to tho quotation Germany would be called u,pon to pay tho equivalent of twenty thousand million gold marks, or one thousand million pounds sterling, in 11)21. This would be tho first dividend, and New Zealand would get its share. AVhat the eharo would amount to it was impossible yet to say. All depended upon Germany's capacity to. pay in the first place, and then on Germany's willingness to pay. It had been intended that an atmy of occupation should be kept in German territory for a period of from five to fifteen years, as a surety for payment, but tho Germans were very slippery, and British people were inclined to forget. Any further payment would probably be by way of war bonds spread over a period, of thirty years. Mr. Massey read tho following letter which he had addressed to Jit. Lloyd Georgo on the subject of reparation, dealing especially with Now Zealand's right to share in the indemnity to be paid by the Hun, Tho letter is dated Juno, 1919 sOn the eve of my departure for i New Zealand I desire- to hand you \ statement of tho approximate position of Now Zealand on account of our liabilities incurred during tho war period up to the time of demobilisation of our military forces. You will understand that at present it is im. possible to furnish accurate details of such expenditure, but so far as it is possible to estimate, our war expenditure will certainly amount _to not less than one hundred million, pounds sterling. Our liability on account of military pensions will bo two million pounds sterling per annum, which represents a capital valuo of twenty-five millions. This amount is included in tho total of .£100,000,000 referred to in the preceding para(jraph. There arc many other liabilities which might properly bo I added, but I confine tho items to direct expenditure. I am aware that New Zealand's share of any monetary compensation by. tho enemy for purposes of reparation will not probably amount to more than a comparatively small proportion of pur gross «xpeni diture, and I fear it may bo some time before any dividend will 1 be forthcoming as o, result of payments from tho enemy by way of reparation. I trust, however, that when that time does come the interests of New Zealand wiil receive fair and equitable consideration.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 43, 14 November 1919, Page 6
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453REPARATION Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 43, 14 November 1919, Page 6
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