Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1148

 1096 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 Colonies. 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. President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of the Interior. — Jonkheer Dr. Ch. J. M. Iluys de Bccrenbrouck ; born December 1, 1873 ; appointed September 9, 1918

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs. — Jonkheer Dr. H. A. van Kamebeek ; born August 21, 1874 ; appointed September 9, 1918.

3. The Minister of Finance. — Dr. S. de Vrizs ; appointed September 9, 1918.

4. The Minister of Justice. — Dr. Th. Hcemskerk ; appointed September 9, 1918.

5. The Minister of the Colonies. — S. de Graaff ; appointed November 13, 1919.

6. The Minister of War— General W. F. Pop; appointed March 31, 1920.

7. The Minister of Public Works (Waterstaat).— Dr. A. A. H. W. Konig ; appointed September 9, 1918.

8. The Minister of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry. — H. A. van Ysselstein ; appointed September 9, 1918.

9. The Minister of Marine (ad interim). — General Pop.

10. The Minister of Labour. — Dr. J. P. M. Aalberse ; appointed September 25, 1918.

11. The Minister of Instruction, Science, and Arts. — Dr. J. Th. de Visser ; appointed September 25, 1918.

Each of the above Ministers has an annual salary of 18,000 guilders, or 1,500/. The Minister of Foreign Affairs enjoys besides 10,000 guilders for representation.

There is a State Council — ' Raad van State ' — of 1 4 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.

II. Local Government.

The territory is divided into 11 provinces and 1,110 communes (January 1, 1920). Each province has its own representative body, 'the Provincial States.' The members are elected for 4 years, directly from among the Dutch in- habitants of the province who are 25 years of age. Except that they must be inhabitants of the province, the electors are the same as for the Second Chamber. The members retire in a body and are subject to re-election. The number of members varies according to the population of the province, from 82 for Holland (South) to 35 for Drenthe. The Provincial States are entitled to make ordinances concerning the welfare 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 commis- sion composed of 6 (in Drenthe 4) 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