ORANGIA ELECTIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 125, 22 November 1907, Page 7

ORANGIA ELECTIONS.

"CONSTITUTIONALISTS • CARRY BLOEMFONTEIX. A STRONG COUNCIL. By TUcgrupli.— rrcss Association. — Copyright. PRETORIA, 21st November. The Orangia 'elections are progressing. The Constitutionalists carried Bloemfontein, winning four seats by largo majorities and only losjug a fifth by two votes. LONDON", 21st November. The Times says the Upper House will consist of five supporters of the Orangia Unie, five Constitutionalists, and exPresident Steyn's brother-in-law, Mr.' P. Blignaut, who will hold tKb balance.' The Times adds that -the new Council is both strong and representative. The Constitutionalists are under the leadership of Sir J. (i. Fraser, and, in general, support the British policy, while tho Orangia Unie, led by Mr. Fischer, is composed of the bulk of tho Boer population. THE. CONSTITUTION. ' The following is a summary of tho Constitution, which is exactly parallel to the Transvaal one: — Two Chambers— Council and Assembly. . . Council of eleven, nominated for first Parliament, bub after four years a Bill may bo passed to elect them. Members must be aged thiVty at least, voters, and lureo years resident. Assembly of thirty-eight — single-mem-ber seats in the present magisterial districts — twenty-seven rural and eleven urban. Manhood suffrage — all British white males over twenty-one — with six months' residential qualification. Biennial registration and redivision. Paid Speaker. Governor-ia-Couneil may appoint President. Dissolution every five years, or when Governor decides. Debates in Dutch or English. Payment of members, £150, plus £2 for every day of attendance, total not to exceed £300. Ii) case of disagreement, two Houses may sit jointly and pass legislation by majority. As in Transvaal, laws reserved which deal with "servil.' labour,' put disabilities on non-EuropeaDS, or alter the Letters Patent. . Not more than five Ministers, approved by Governor. The reconstitution of the Intercolonial Council, the Land Settlers' Board, the salary to the Governor, £500(^, and all the other minor details are as in the Transvaal Constitution. Bloemfontein town returns five members, tho districts of Bloemfontein, Kroonslad, Rouxvjlle. and Winburg, two each, and all other districts and towns one each.