Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1188

 1066 NETHERLANDS

may attend at the meetings of both. Chambers, but they have only a deliberative vote unless they are members. Alterations in the Constitution can be made only by a bill declaring that there is reason for introducing those alterations, followed by a dissolution of the Chambers and a second confirmation by the new States-General by two-thirds of the votes. Unless it is expressly declared, the laws concern only the realm in Europe, and not the Colonics. The executive authority, belonging to the Sovereign, is exercised by a responsible Council of Ministers. The names of the members of the Ministry are: —

1. The Minister of the Interior. — Dr. Th. Heemskerk; appointed February 11, 1908.

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs. — Jlir. Dr. R. de Marees van Swinderen; appointed February 12, 1908.

3. The Minister of Finance. — Dr. M. J. C, M. Kolkman; appointed February 12, 1908.

4. The Minister of Justice. — Vacant.

5. The Minister of the Colonies. — J. H. de Waal Malefyt; appointed August 16, 1909.

6. The Minister of Defenee. — H. Colijn; appointed Jan. 1, 1911.

7. The Minister of Public Works (Waterstaat). — Dr. L. H. W. Jlegout; appointed January 21, 1909.

8. The Minister of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry. — A. S. Talma; nppointed February 12, 1908.

Tlie Ministries of War and JMarine were united in that of Defence in May, 1912.

Each of the above Ministers has an annual salary of 12,000 guilders, or 1,000/.

There is a State Council — ' Raad van State ' — of 14 members, appointed by the Sovereign, of which the Sovereign is president, and which is consulted on all legislative and a great number of executive matters.

11. Local Government.

The territory is divided into 11 provinces and 1,123 communes. Each province has its own representative body, 'the Provincial States.' The members are elected for 6 years, directly from among the male Dutch inhabitants of the province who are 25 years of age, one-half of the number being subject to re-election or renewal every 3 years Except that they must be inhabitants of the province, the electors, as well as the mode of voting, are the same as for the Second Chamber. The number of members varies according to the population of the province, from 80 for Holland (South) to 35 for Drenthe. The Provincial States are entitled to make ordinances concerning the Avelfare of the province, and to raise taxes according to legal precepts. All provincial ordinances must be approved by the Crown. The Provincial States exercise a right of control over the munici- palities. They also elect the members of the First Chamber of the States- General. They meet twice a year, as a rule in public. A permanent com- mission composed of 6 of their memberS; called the 'Deputed States,' is charged with the executive power in the province and the daily administra- tion of its affairs. This committee has also to see the common law executed in the province. Both the Deputed as well as the Provincial States are pre- sided over by a Commissioner of the Sovereign, who in the former assembly has a deciding vote, but in the latter named only a deliberative vote. He is the chief magistrate in the province. Only the members of the Deputed States receive an allowance,

The communes form each a Corporation with its own interests and rights, subject to the general law. In each commune is a Council, elected for six