Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/323

 CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT 201

The House of Assembly, not the Senate, must originate money bills, but may not pass a bill for taxation or api>ropriation unless it has been recom- mended by message from the Governor-General during the Session. Restric- tions are placed on the amendment of money bills by the Senate. Provision is made for adjusting disagreements between the Houses, and for the Royal Assent to bills to be given, reserved, and for laws assented to by the Governor-General being disallowed.

The first Parliamentary election under the South Africa Act was held on the 15th September, 1910, since when there have been several by-elections. The {)Osition of the various parties towards the end of 1912, was : — South African Party, 78 ; Unionist Party, 34 ; Labour Party, 5 ; Independents, 4.

Pretoria is the seat of government of the Union, and Cape Town is the seat of Legislature.

The Right Honourable Viscount Gladstone of Lanark, P.O., G.G.M.G, (salary £10,000 per annum), was sworn in as the first Governor- General of the Union on 31st May, 1910. The executive council is constituted as follows : —

His Excellency the Governor-General.

Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture. — General the Right Honourable Louis Botha, P. C.

Minister of Railways and Harbours. — Honourable Henry Bxtrton, K.C. Minister of Finance and Minister of Defence. — Honourable J. C. Smuts.

Minister of Justice and Minister of Native Affairs. — Honourable J. W. Sauer.

Minider of Education and of Mines. — Honourable F. S. Malan.

Minister of Interior and Minister of Lands. — The Right Honourable A. Fischer, P.O.

Minister of Posts and TclegrapJis, avd Minister of Public Works. — Honourable Sir T. Watt.

Minister without Portfolio. — Hon. Sir D. P. de Villiers Graaff, Bart.

In each province there is an Administrator appointed by the Governor- General for five years, and a provincial council elected for three years, each council having an executive committee of four (either members or not of the council), the administrator to preside at its meetings. Members of the Provincial Council are elected on the same system as members of Parliament, but the restriction as to European descent does not apply. The number of members in each Provincial Council is as follows : — Cape of Good Plope, 51 ; Natal, 25 ; Transvaal, 36 ; Orange Free State, 25. The provincial committees and councils have authority to deal with local matters such as provincial finance, education (elementary), agriculture, charity, municipal institutions, local works, roads and bridges, markets, fish and game, and penalties for breaches of laws respecting such subjects. Other matters may be delegated to these Councils, All ordinances passed by a Provincial Council are subject to the veto of the Governor- General-in- Council.

The first Provincial elections for the Cape of Good Hope and the Trans- vaal were held on the 15th September, 1910 ; those for Natal and the Orange Free State on the 12th October, 1910.

There is a provincial Revenue Fund in each province. The old colonial capitals are the capitals of the provinces. .

Justice is adniiaistered by a Supreme Court of South Africa and other courts within the Union and in the provinces.