18

H.—25

the exception of articles of special value up to an amount of £500, in any case where the competent German authority certifies that the income of the applicant does not exceed the equivalent of £400 a year at a current rate of exchange. Applications for release must be made within a period six months from the ratification of this agreement. The New Zealand. Government has decided to adopt a similar policy. (c.) Austrian nationals whose income is less than £400 per year : The British Government has decided to release household furniture and effects, personal belongings, family souvenirs, and implements of trade belonging to Austrian nationals, with the exception of articles of special value up to a reasonable amount —say, £500 —in any case, providing that'the application is accompanied by a Government certificate that the income of the owner of the property does not exceed the equivalent of £400 sterling per annum. The New Zealand Government has decided to grant a similar concession. (17.) Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. The New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary dated the 17th February, 1921, contained a copy of the rules of procedure of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal which has been constituted under Article 304: of the Treaty of Versailles. The principal matters which will be dealt with by this tribunal are as follows : — (a.) Under Article 296 : To decide, where a difference has arisen between debtor and creditor or between the British and the German Clearing Offices, as to the amount of the debt. (/).) Under Article 297 : To determine the compensation to be borne by Germany in respect of damage or injury inflicted on the property, rights, or interests of British nationals in German territory as they existed on the Ist August, 1914, by exceptional war measures, &c. (c.) Under Article 299 : To grant equitable compensation to the prejudiced party where the execution of a contract, which otherwise would have been regarded as having been dissolved as from the time when the two of the parties became enemies, is required in the general interest by Great Britain. (d.) Under Article 300 : To order, where equitable and possible, the restoration of the rights of British nationals which have been prejudiced by measures of execution taken in German territory on account of failure to perform any act or comply with any formality during the war. (c.) Under Article 302 : To fix compensation to a British national who has suffered prejudice in regard to a judgment given by a German Court during the war in respect of any dispute. (/.) Under Article 305 : To grant redress to a British national whenever a competent Court has given or gives a decision in the case covered by Sections 111, IV, V, or VI .1 of the Treaty, and such decision is inconsistent with the provisions of such sections. (g.) (1.) To fix conditions for the issue of new licenses to German nationals in respect to industrial, literary, or artistic property belonging to British nationals and in which certain rights had been granted to German nationals prior to the outbreak of war. (2.) To fix the amount to be paid for the use of the rights during the war. 18. Certificates for the Issue of Money-orders payable in Germany. In order to prevent breaches of the Treaty of Peace Order, 1920, or of the War Regulations Continuance Act, 1920, in regard to the settlement of pre-war debts or the transfer of German property, the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department arranged with the Public Trustee as Custodian of Enemy Property to examine applications for the issue of money-orders payable in Germany, and to grant permits if the remittance is not prohibited by law. This procedure is in accordance with the system in force in the Commonwealth of Australia. Applications for permits should be made in writing addressed to the Custodian of Enemy Property, Public Trust Office, Wellington, and should contain the following information : — (rt.) The full name, address, and nationality of both the remitter and payee : (o.) The purpose for which the remittance is being sent. 19, Conclusion. A perusal of the foregoing report will indicate that a very large amount of work has been cast upon the Public Trustee and his officers in connection with enemy-property matters, and the burden resulting therefrom, was greatly increased owing to the shortage of staff at the time when the earlier portion of the work had to be transacted. Apart from the volume of the work performed, the delicate nature of many of tho transactions called for the exercise of special tact and. discretion on the part of the Public Trustee and his officers. It is gratifying to be able to state that with few exceptions the duties were carried out without friction with any of the parties involved. The Public Trustee has endeavoured to protect the Government in every way without inflicting undue hardship on persons who found themselves unfavourably situated owing to the effect of the War Regulations. In the discharge of the duties the Public Trustee has been brought into contact with several of the Government Departments, particularly the Crown Law Office and the Customs Department. It has also been necessary to secure the assistance of the banks throughout the Dominion in obtaining information connected with enemy property and the settlement, of claims received from the German Clearing Office. I desire to express my appreciation of the cordial assistance and co-operation which has been given to me in carrying out the duties imposed by the Government. I also desire to express my appreciation of the devoted work of the officers of the Public Trust Office who have been entrusted with the discharge of these particular duties. I have, &c, J. W. Macdonald, Public Trustee, As Custodian of Enemy Property and as Controller of the New Zealand Clearing Office.