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General may, by order signed by him, declare that such estate, right, title, or interest is vested in His Majesty. The only vesting-order which the Attorney-General has so far signed under paragraph 33 is in connection with an estate of which the gross value amounts to £33,300. 29. The Treaty of Peace Amendment Order, 1922 (gazetted on the I.sth June, 1.922), empowers the Public Trustee to sell, realize, or otherwise convert into money any such estate, right, title, or interest. In paragraph 34 a similar provision is made for the liquidation of any estate, right, title, or interest in or in respect, to any land or other property vested at law in an enemy, or any person claiming through an enemy. 30. The net proceeds of the property, rights, and. interests of enemy nationals retained and liquidated in accordance with the above-mentioned provisions may be charged under paragraph. 4 of the annex to Article 298 of the Treaty of Versailles, firstly, with the payment of amounts duo in respect of claims by New Zealand nationals with regard to their property, rights, and interests, or debts owing to them by German nationals, and with payment of claims growing out of acts committed by the German Government, or by any German authorities since the 31st July, 1914, and before New Zealand entered into the war ; and, secondly, with the payment of the amounts due in respect of claims by New Zealand nationals with regard to their property, rights, and interests in the territory of other enemy Powers in so far as these claims are otherwise unsatisfied. 31. Under the provisions of Article 297 (h) (1) credit must be given in sterling through the Clearing Office in respect of the proceeds of the realization of German property in New Zealand. The Central Clearing Office has drafted a schedule indicating what particulars of the property liquidated shall be transmitted for the information of the German Clearing Office. The total amount credited in accordance with this provision is as follows : Germany, £87,005 3s. 4d. ; Austria, £310 14s. lid. : total, £87,315 18s. 3d. Delivery to New Zealand op Securities held by German Nationals. 32. Under paragraph 10 of the annex to Article 298 of the Treaty of Versailles Germany is required to deliver to the New Zealand Government all securities relating to properties, rights, and interests in the Dominion held by German nationals. This provision reads as follows : — " Germany will within six months from the coming into force of the present Treaty deliver to each Allied or Associated Power all securities, certificates, deeds, or other documents of title held by its nationals and relating to .property, rights, or interests situated in the territory of that Allied or Associated Power, including any shares, stock, debentures, debenture stock, or other obligations of any company incorporated in accordance with the laws of that Power. Germany will at any time, on demand of any Allied or Associated Power, furnish such information as may be required with regard to the property, rights, or interests of German nationals within the territory of such Allied or Associated Power, or with regard to any transaction concerning such property, rights, or interests effected since July 1, 1914." A cablegram dated 24th. January, 1922, was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies requesting tho New Zealand Government to nominate a representative to take over from Germany the securities relating to the Dominion specified in the paragraph referred to above. The High Commissioner was authorized to nominate a representative on behalf of the Dominion, and in accordance with a suggestion made by the Central Clearing Office arrangements were made for an. officer of the High Commissioner's staff to accompany the representative of the Australian Government to Berlin for the purpose of taking delivery of the securities relating to both Australia and New Zealand. The securities handed over proved to be almost entirely Australian documents, to the nominal value of about £80,000. While in Berlin the New Zealand representative took the opportunity of discussing with the German Clearing Office many matters relating to New Zealand in connection with Articles 296 and 297 of the Treaty. Property belonging to Enemy Subjects who have been permitted to remain in New Zealand. 33. The New Zealand Government has decided not to exercise any power of retention and liquidation which it may have under the Treaties of Peace in regard to the property, rights, and interests, of enemy subjects who have been permitted to remain in New Zealand. Release of Property belonging to Persons op British, Allifd, or Neutral Nationality. 34. Owing to the wide definition of " alien enemy " contained in the War Regulations it was necessary for the Public Trustee, as Custodian of Enemy Property, to collect moneys owing to all persons who during the war were resident in enemy territory, irrespective of their nationality. The object was to prevent any financial assistance from reaching the enemy. In accordance with the practice followed in the United Kingdom, the property belonging to British, Allied, or neutral subjects is released on production of satisfactory evidence of nationality, with the approval of the AttorneyGeneral. Twenty-eight amounts have been released under this heading, totalling £28,725 os. 4d. Release of Property of Persons who claim to be Destitute of Nationality. 35. In a despatch dated 27th June, 1921, the Secretary of State for the Colonies forwarded a copy of a judgment delivered on the 28th April, 1921, by Mr. Justice Russell in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice in the case of Stoeck v. Public Trustee and Attorney-General. The plaintiff sued tho Public Trustee and the Attorney-General, inter alia, for a declaration that the plaintiff was not on the 10th January, 1.920 (the date when the Treaty of Peace with Germany came into force), and is not a German national within the meaning of the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, or