8. Mr. A. DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Easier Mission, of Basel, Switzerland, has been treated as a German missionary society for the purpose of the Peace Treaty; whether toe Swiss Government or the Basler Mission has made any representations on this matter; and, if so, what was the purport and outcome of the representations made?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)In view of their enemy connections and sympathies the Basle Mission and Basle Mission Trading Society in the Gold Coast were dealt with as enemy associations before the conclusion of Peace, and steps were taken to vest their properties in selected trustees to be administered on religious and philanthropic lines for the benefit of the natives. Representations have been made by the Swiss Government and the Trading Society with a view to obtaining a reversal of the action taken, but after full consideration the Government has seen no sufficient reason for modifying its decision. It is proposed to repay to the shareholders in the Trading Society their capital in full.