H.—25

9

amounts in question represented money derived from sources in New Zealand and that the New Zealand Government had decided not to exercise any right which it might have under the Peace Treaties to retain and liquidate the property rights and interests ol aliens who were repatriated from the Dominion, these amounts could be released by the Commonwealth authorities accordingly. A reply has now been received advising that the necessary steps are being taken for these amounts to be refunded to the persons concerned. 33. Repatriated German Subjects. —The question of the release of the amounts held by the British authorities on account of the German subjects who were repatriated from the United Kingdom is still the subject of negotiations between the British and the Gorman Governments. In accordance with the practice of the Imperial authorities ■ the High Commissioner is withholding in the meantime payment of the moneys due to the German subjects repatriated from New Zealand. The British authorities have been informed that the New Zealand Government is anxious that these moneys should be paid at the earliest possible moment. Amounts released from the Provisions of the War Regulations and the Treaty of Peace Order, 1920. 34. Tho following statement shows the amounts which have been released from the provisions of the War Regulations and tho Treaty of Peace Order, 1920, on the undermentioned grounds for payment to tho persons beneficially entitled thereto, or to their authorized agents. These figures comprise only the amounts which, have actually been refunded by the Custodian, and do not include the value of the properties in regard to which the power to retain and liquidate has not been exercised (e.g., assets belonging to internees or other ex-enemy nationals who have been permitted to remain in the Dominion, certain property belonging to British-born wives of German nationals, &c). Payments made, in respect of claims established by New Zealand nationals have not been included in this statement:— (1.) Amounts belonging to persons or firms who have submitted satisfactory £ c. d. documentary evidence that they possessed prior to the outbreak of war British, Allied, or neutral nationality .. .. .. .. 15,013 10 4 During the war all persons resident in enemy territory, or enemy occupied territory, irrespective of their nationality, were ■ regarded as enemies for the purpose; of the War Regulations, and consequently all amounts payable to them during the war were required to be paid to the Custodian of Enemy Property. On the conclusion of peace the, necessary steps were taken to release the amounts belonging to British, Allied, and neutral subjects. (2.) Amounts belonging to persons of former enemy nationality who have acquired the nationality of an Allied or Associated Power under one of the principal Treaties of Peace . . .. .. .. 1 ,786 17 0 These persons are entitled to the release of their property in accordance with the express terms of tho various Treaties of Peace. (3.) Amounts belonging to British-born subjects who lost their British nationality on marriage, and who, subsequent to the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace, have been rcnaturalized as British subjects .. 29,342 19 1 These moneys have been released in accordance with the policy of the Imperial authorities in connection with similar cases in the United Kingdom. (4.) Amounts belonging to British-born wives of German nationals .. 604 2 6 The position in regard to releases under this heading has been set forth, fully under para. 27, supra. (5.) Proceeds of investments representing savings from earnings made in New Zealand by German nationals who were not at the outbreak of the war permanently resident in the Dominion and who are, now in necessitous circumstances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,656 0 0 (6.) Moneys belonging to aliens who were interned during the war, and/or who were repatriated from New Zealand at their own request or otherwise 40,254 15 5 (7.) Moneys belonging to the German Church Trust at Christchurch, released in pursuance of an Order in Council dated 23rd April, 1923, made, under section 54 of tho Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1922 .. .. .. .. .. .. 971 15 2 (8.) Amounts transferred for disposal by the Commonwealth Clearing Office, tho liquidator of the English Branch of an enemy company, or in accordance with the Ex-enemy Absentee Property (Samoa) Order, 1923 1,171 1 0 (9.) Amounts transferred to Consolidated Fund : — (a.) Proceeds of realty acquired by a German subject which was forfeited and declared by the Supreme Court to be. vested in the, Public Trustee in trust for His Majesty tho King under section sof the £ ?■ d. War Legislation Act, 1917 .. .. .. 520 4 5 (&.) Sundry amounts where the legal or beneficial owners could not be traced .. .. .. .. 1,735 710 2.255 12 3 (10.) Miscellaneous releases .. .. .. .. .. 628 11 11 £93,685 4 8

2—H. 25.