Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/263

 CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT 211

which members of Parliament had, or might have, become subject in assist- ing in Naval and Military operations during the war were made the subject of special legislation in 1915.

The House of Assembly, not the Senate, must originate money bills, but may not pass a bill for taxation or appropriation 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 or 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. The position of the various parties after the general election of February, 1921, was : — South African Party, 79 ; Nationalists, 45 ; Labour Party, 9 ; Independents, 1.

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

Governor-General. — H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught, K.G., K.T., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.B., A.D.C. (salary £10,000 per annum).

The Executive Council is constituted as follows : —

His Excellency the" Governor-General.

Prime Minister and Minister of Native Affairs. — General The Right Honourable J. C. Smuts, P.C., C.H. (3,500/.).

Minister of the Interior, Public Health and Education. — The Honourable Patrick Duncan (2,500/.).

Minister of Mines and Industries. — The Honourable F. S. M alan (2,500/. ).

Minister of Railways and Harbours. — The Honourable — Jogger (2, 500/.).

Minister of Finance. — The Honourable H. Burton, K.C. (2,500/.).

Minister of Justice.— The Honourable N. J. de Wet, K.C. (2,500/.).

Minister of Defence. — Colonel The Honourable H. Mentz (2,500/.).

Minister of Posts and Telegraphs and of Public Works. — The Honourable Sir Thomas Watt, K.C.M.G. (2,500/.).

Secretary for Agriculture. — The Honourable Sir Thomas Smartl.

Minister of Land*. — The Honourable Colonel Reitz.

In each province there is an Administrator appointed by the Governor- General for five years, and a Provincial Council eleoted for three years, each council having an executive committee of four (either members or not of the council), the administrator presiding at its meetings. Members of the Provincial Council are elected on the same system as members of Parliament, but the restriction as to European desoent does not apply. The number of members in each Provincial Council is as follows : — Cape of Good Hope, 51 ; Natal, 25 ; Transvaal, 49 ; Orange Free State, 25. The provincial committees and councils have authority to deal with local matters such as provincial finance, education (elementary), 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 papitals are the capitals of the provinces.

A Harbour and Railway Board of not more than three commissioners ippointed for five years, with a Minister of State as chairman, have the

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