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EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC CONCERNING REPAYMENT OF ADVANCES MADE BY NEW ZEALAND TO FRANCE IN RESPECT OF MILITARY EXPENDITURE DURING THE YEARS 1940-1945 Paris, 13 January 1950 No. 1 Miss Jean McKenzie to Mr. Robert Schuman New Zealand Legation, Paris, 13 January 1950. I have the honour to refer to the question of the repayment of the advances made by New Zealand to France, amounting to about £NZI6O,OOO, in respect of military expenditure during the years 1940-45. The New Zealand Government desires to inform the Government of France that, taking into account the circumstances under which the expenditure was incurred, it is prepared to accept a lump sum payment of 80,000,000 French francs in full settlement of this debt to be paid in non-convertible French currency at Paris in order to cover the expenses of installation of the New Zealand Legation, and to develop still further cultural relations between New Zealand and French students. The New Zealand Government takes this opportunity of indicating by this suggestion its sentiments of friendship towards the French Republic and of recalling the bonds which have their origin in the long brotherhood of arms and sacrifices that the two countries have shared in common in the course of two world wars for the triumph of liberties to which they are profoundly attached. If the French Government accepts this offer, I have the honour to suggest that the present note and Your Excellency's reply to that effect should be regarded as placing on record the agreement between our two Governments on this subject. I would like to avail myself, &c., J. R. McKENZIE, Charge d'Affaires.