H.—25

8

2. Claims under Article 297 : — (a.) In respect of the sale of British property in German Territory liquidated during the war under exceptional war measures : (b.) In addition to the actual amount realized by the sale of their property in Germany, British nationals are also entitled under the above-mentioned article to compensation for any loss or damage which they may have sustained by reason of such sale or application of exceptional war measures. The Treaty provides that the amounts payable under this heading mast be determined in each case by the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. Further information will be found in paragraphs 38-41 headed " Compensation Claims." Progress regarding disposal of Claims . 34. Owing to the considerable delay which, takes place in obtaining replies from the German Clearing Office, and to a lesser extent from many of the New Zealand firms concerned, it is reasonable to expect that the final disposal of these claims will not be made until the expiry of a long period. 35. The following table indicates the progress which has been made to the 31st March, 1923 : — (a.) Claims by New Zealand Nationals against German Nationals. 212 claims forwarded to German Clearing Office through Central Clearing £ s. d. £ s. d. Office .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. 49,219 I. 4 Claims withdrawn in whole or in. part in response to letters of contest lodged on behalf of German firms, &c. .. .. .. 10,861 5 4 Claims wholly or partly acknowledged by German firms and admitted to German Clearing Office (interest & s. d. £4,336 14s. 2d.) .. .. .. .. 15,272 18 1 Less admission made in error cancelled, (interest £1 9s. 4d.) .. .. .. 4 6 6 15,268 11 7 26,129 16 11 Balance, being claims still under action.. .. .. £23,119 4 5 In addition to the sum of £15,272 18s. Id. admitted as shown above, interest thereon amounting to £4,336 14s, 2d. has also been credited by the German Clearing Office and paid to the claimants. Payment of the claims under this heading is made by this Office as soon as the necessary admissions are received from the German Clearing Office. From the information supplied in paragraphs 51 and 53 it will be seen that the sums collected from New Zealand debtors in settlement of claims received through the German Clearing Office constitute the primary fund out of which New Zealand creditors received payment of their claims. (b.) Claims by German Nationals against New Zealand National?. 1,368 claims received from the German Clearing- Office through the £ s. d. £ s. d. Central Clearing Office .. .. .. .. .. .. 203,059 16 1 Claims retransferred to the Central Clearing Office as not applicable to New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,254 3 4 Claims withdrawn in whole or in part by the German Clearing Office in response to letters of contest lodged on behalf of New Zealand firms, &o. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,232 14 8 Claims acknowledged in whole or in part by New Zealand firms and admitted to the German Clearing Office .. .. .. 26,239 6 7 40,726 4 7 Balance, being claims contested, defective, or under action .. £162,333 11 6 Treaty interest amounting to £8,768 2s. sd. has also been credited to the German Clearing Office in connection with the debts admitted. ■ The disposal of the amounts collected from New Zealand nationals is briefly indicated under the preceding subparagraph. (c.) Claims by Neiv Zealand Nationals against Germany under Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles. Ten claims forwarded to the German Clearing Office through the Central £ s. d. £ s. d. Clearing Office .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 52,508 6 3 Claims acknowledged in part by Germany and admitted to the New Zealand Clearing Office .. .'. .. .. .. 1,353 5 8 Claims withdrawn in part by New Zealand nationals on acceptance of offers of compensation .. .. .. .. . . 323 2 1 1,676 7 9 Claims under action, &c. .. .. .. .. £50,831 18 6 In addition to the £1,353 ss. Bd. admitted as above, offers of compensation amounting to £171 have been received in respect of these claims. As regards payment of the compensation offered see paragraphs 38-41.