Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/475

 5IW ZEALAND 423

NEW ZEALAND.

Government and Constitution.

By Order in Council of September 9, 1907, and by Proclamation, the designation of the Colony of New Zealand was changed to the Dominion oi New Zealand (officially established as a Colony in 1840), on and from September 26, 1907. The present form of government was estab- lished by Statute 15 k 16 Vict., cap. 72, passed in 1852. The Colony was divided into six provinces, afterwards increased to ten, but later reduced to nine. By a subsequent Act of the Colonial Legislature, 39 Vict., No. xxi., passed in 1875, the provincial system of government was abolished, and the powers previously exercised by superintendents and provincial officer were ordered to be exercised by the Governor (Governor-General from June 1917). or by local boards. The legislative power is vested in the Governor-General and a ' General Assembly ' consisting of two Chambers — a Legislative Council and a House of Representatives. The Governor-General has the power of assenting to or withholding consent from bills, or he may reserve them for His Majesty's pleasure. He summons, prorogues, and dissolves the Parliament. He can send drafts of bills to either House for con- sideration, but in case of appropriations of public money must first recom- mend the House of Representatives to make provision accordingly before any appropriations can become law. He can return bills for amendment to either House.

The Legislative Council consists (October, 1920) of forty- three members, who are paid at the rate of 350Z. per annum. Those appointed since Sep- tember 17,1891, hold their seats for seven years only, unless reappointed. One life-member was appointed before that date. Provision has been made for the Legislative Council to be made elective at a date to be fixed by Proclamation. Twenty-four members are to be elected at the first election and 40 at subsequent elections. Three Maori members may be appointed by the Govemor-GeneraL Present sitting members hold office till the end of the term of their appointment.

The House of Representatives consists of eighty members, including four Maoris, elected by the people for three years. They are paid at the rate of 500J. per annum. Every man registered as an elector is eligible as a member of the House of Representatives. Women are also eligible. For European representation every adult person (of either sex), if resident one year in the Dominion and one month in an electoral district, can be registered an elector for such Electoral District. No person may be registered on more than one electoral roll. Every adult Maori resident in any of the four Maori electoral districts can vote, provided he (or she) be not registered on any European roll. Registra- tion is not required in Native districts.

The result of the general election of December, 1919, was: Reform Party, 48 ; Liberal Party, 18 ; Labour Party, 10 ; Independent Party, 4. The Government holds 50 seats, and the opposition parties, 30 seats. " The number of votes cast, excluding the Maoris, was 517,000.

Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief. — His Excellency Viscount Jellieoe of Scapa, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O. Salary of 5,000/., and 2.500Z. allowances additional.