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Belgium

Minister of Agriculture. — Baron A. Ruzctte (Catholic).

Minister of National Defence. — Albert Dexeze (Liberal),

Minister of Justice. — Emile Vandcrvelde. (Socialist).

Minister of the Colonies. — Louis Franck (Liberal).

Minister of Industry, Food Supply, and Labour. — Joseph Wautir* (Socialist).

Minister of Railways, Marine, Posts and Telegraphs. — Xavier Ncujean (Liberal).

Minister of Public Works. — Edouard Anseele (Socialist).

Besides, the above responsible heads of departments, there are a number of ' Ministres d'Etat, ' without portfolio, called on special occasions by the sovereign.

Local Government.

The provinces and communes (2,633 in 1913) of Belgium have a large amount of autonomous government. The laws governing provincial and communal elections are being altered at present (May, 1921).

In regard to the communal electorate, the law of April 15, 1920, definitely lays it down that all Belgians over 21 years of age without distinction of sex, who have been domiciled for at least six months, have the right to vote. Proportional representation is applied to the communal elections, and communal councils are to be renewed every six years. In each commune there is a college composed of the burgomaster, president, and a certain number of aldermen, corresponding almost to the permanent deputation of the Provincial Council, and both are the organs ef the central administration.

Area and Population.

Belgium has an area of 29,451 square kilometres, or 11,373 English square miles. The following table shows the population at various dates : —

Census Years

Population

Total Increase

Increase CensU8 per cent. y per annum

Population

6,693,548 7,423,784 7,577,027

Total Increase

Increase per cent, per annum

1876 1880 1890

5,336,185 5,520,009 6,069,321

508,352 183,824 549,312

1-05 ' 1900 0-85 ' 1910

0-99 1 1919

i

624,227 730,236 153,243

1-03 1-09 0-23

Area and population of provinces : —

Provinces

Flanders

Antwerp (Anvers)

Brabant

/West \East

Hainaut

Liege.

Limbonrg.

Luxembourg

Namur

Total.

Area: Eng. sq. miles

1,093 1,268 1,249 1,158 1,437 1,117 931 1,706 1,414

Population

Cenaus Dec. 81, 1910

968,677

1,469,677

874,135

1,120,335

1,232,867

888,341

275,691

231,215

326,846

11,378

7,423,784 7,577,027

KsUmated Deo. M. 1919

1,040,937

1,561,855

880,064

1,124,887

1,215,311

869,360

300,931

231,163

352,519

'opulation per sq. mile, 1910

884 1,158 699 967 857 798 IN 135 231

652