CHINESE ASSEMBLY MEETS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 143, 30 March 1948, Page 3

CHINESE ASSEMBLY MEETS

NOT ENOUGH FOR QUORUM

Purpose of New" Constitution

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright). (Rec. 10.10) NAANKING, March 29, China’s first democraticallyconstituted National Assembly met for the first time to-day.

Of 3045 delegates for the full Assembly/only 1694 attended. This figure did not include 100 independent Kuomintang Party members held under “house arrest,’ ’and 100 more delegates avlio stayed aAvay in sympathy. The total present did not constitute the two-thirds required for a quorum. Members under “house arrest” were elected Avithout being endorsed by their party. The Government Electoral Office has withheld their registration certificates. The Kuomintang Party asked them to give up their seats to members of the Young China Party and the Social Democratic Party so that those parties could he given representation in the new Assembly, as was promised them before the elections. The independents refused.

The pre-election agreement was settled by a suggestion that elections ‘should be held for Manchuria, Avith the Government not opposing minor parties. , .. Presumably elections will be held among refugees from Manchuria, which is in the hands of the Communists.

After a brief ceremony, the Assembly adojurned until to-morrow. . . Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek said the Communists Avere engaged in destruction and slaughter, and the purpose of the new constitution Avas to protect the lives of the people and safeguard the existence of the nation.