H.—25

2

Paragraphs British Empire Account with Germany under Article 296 of the Treaty of Versailles —Settlement of balances with Germany—Default by Germany—Statement by Controller of Central Clearing Office —Steps taken by him to secure payment —Report of First Committee of Experts appointed by Reparations Commission recommending payment by Germany of an inclusive annual charge to cover all Treaty charges including Clearing Office balances—Recommendation adopted by Allied Governments —Independent payment of Clearing Office balances would be in conflict with agreement—No likelihood of payment while sufficient funds held on account of liquidation of German property —Consequent amalgamation of accounts under Articles 296 and 297 of the Treaty of Versailles .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 44-47 New Zealand Account with Central Clearing Office —Possibility of obtaining payment of credit balance —Statement of transactions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 Recueil des Decisions des Tribunaux Arbitraux Mixtes—Additional publications received —Summary of recent decisions .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49-50 War Regulations dated 22nd February, 1916—Amendments of paragraphs 3 and 4 thereof and of relative rule of Supreme Court Code No. 531bb .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 51-53 Part lll.—Miscellaneous. Settlement of mortgages in Germany—Provisions of German statute of 14th February, 1924, regulating repayment .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . . .. . . 54 Archives of the German and the Austrian Consulates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 55 Claims against Russia—Total of claims registered—Position unchanged .. .. .. .. .. 56 German property in Samoa —Progress towards disposal—Application of proceeds—Statement by Colonial Office regarding debts and claims chargeable against proceeds .. .. .. . . . . .. 57-59 Comparative statistics of Allied Clearing Offices .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 Conclusion .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 61 Appendix—Accounts. 1. New Zealand Clearing Office Account with Central Clearing Office, April, 1924, to December, 1924. 2. Position in regard to claims in respect of enemy debts under Article 296 of the Treaty of Versailles owing to allied creditors by German debtors. 3. Position in regard to claims in respect of enemy debts under Article 296 of the Treaty of Versailles owing to German creditors by allied debtors. 4. Position in regard to claims by allied nationals under Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles, for compensation in respect of damage or injury inflicted upon their property rights and interests in German territory by the application of exceptional war measures or measures of transfer.