Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1147

 GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTION 1095

Government and Comtitntion. I. Central Government.

The first Constitution of the Netherlands after its reconstruction as a kingdom was promulgated in 1815, and was revised in 1848, in 1587 and in 1917. According to this charter the Netherlands form a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. The royal succession is in the direct male line in the order of primogeniture : in default of male heirs, the female line ascend* the throne. In default of a legal heir, the successor to the throne is desig- nated by the Sovereign and a joint meeting of both the Houses of Parliament (each containing twice the usual number of members), and by this assembly alone if the case occurs after the Sovereign's death. The age of majority of the Sovereign is 18 years. During his minority the royal power is vested in a Regent — designated by law — and in some cases in the State Council.

The executive power of the State belongs exclusively to the Sovereign, while the whole legislative authority rests conjointly in the Sovereign and Parliament, the latter — called the States-General — consisting of two Chambers. The Upper or First Chamber is composed of 50 members, elected by the Provincial States. Members of the First Chamber not residing in the Hague, where the Parliament meets, are allowed 10 guilders (18*. S<i. ) a day during the Session of the States-General. The Second Chamber of the States-General numbers 100 deputies, who are elected directly. Memtars are allowed 3,000 florins (250J.) annually, with travelling expenses. Members of the States-General must be Dutch subjects, men or women, and recognised ta mob.

First chamber (elected 1913): 17 Catholics, 19 Anti-Revolutionists, 4 Protestant Party, 9 old Liberals, 6 Liberal Union, 2 Democrats and 3 - Socialists, and 13 others.

Second chamber (elected 1918) : 4 old Liberals, 6 Liberal Union, 30 Catholics, 13 Anti-Revolutionists, 7 Protestant Party, 5 Democrats, 22 Socialists, and 13 others.

The electoral reform act, passed December 12, 1917, provides for universal suffrage and proportional representation. The Members of the Second Chamber are, according to the Electoral Reforn passed August 9th, 1919, directly elected l>y citizens of both sexes who are Dutch subjects not under 23 years. Criminals, lunatics, and certain others are excluded ; for certain crimes and misdemeanours there may be temporary exclusion. It is stipulated, however, that until further regulations are introduced, the Members of the Second Chamber will be elected only by the male citizens of the Kingdom who are 25 years of age. The electoral body numbered May 15, 1920, 3,250,247 voters* i.e. 97 6 per eent of the number of citizens of 25 years and older.

The members of the Second Chamber are elected for 4 years, and retire in a body, whereas the First Chamber is elected for 9 years, and every 3 years one-third retire by rotation. The Sovereign has the power to dissolve both Chambers of Parliament, or one of them, being bound only to order new elections within 40 days, and to convoke the new meeting within two months.

The Government and the Second Chamber only may introduce new bills ; the functions of the Upper Chamber being restricted to approving or rejecting them without the power of inserting amendments. The meetings of both Chambers are public, though each of them, by the decision of the majority, may form itself into a private committee. The ministers