AN EMBLEM OF HOPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14492, 5 October 1910, Page 7

AN EMBLEM OF HOPE.

CHINA'S PARLIAMENT. THE INITIAL STEPS. By Telegraph.— Association.— (Received October 4, 11.30 p.m.) Pekin, October I. The Regent (Prince Chun) opened the Imperial Assembly yesterday, declaring that it represented the verdict of the people, though it was only the initial step towards the inauguration of a Constitution. It was, he said, an emblem of hope which showed that China was in harmony with the world's progress. PREPARING FOR CONSTITUTION. In 1905 Commissioners were sent by China to Great Britain, Germany, and Japan to study the constitutions of those countries. In September, 1906, an edict was issued setting out that, while the supremo control would remain in the Throne, constitutional government would bo inaugurated in a few years' time. A year later another edict ordered the establishment of an Assembly of Ministers to prepare the foundations of constitutional government; and in October of the same .year (1907) it was proclaimed that each prefecture and district was to organise a iocal elective Assembly. In July, 1908, regulations for the provincial assemblies, which were to be established within a year, were published. A month later (August 27) an edict set forth the principles of the constitutional system to be inaugurated in 1917, and the steps to be taken towards it in each of the intervening years. The earliest of those steps were 'be, in 1909, the creation of the provincial assemblies; in 1910, the taking of a census, the preparation of provincial budgets, and the promulgation of a new criminal code ; and in 1911 the establishment of courts of justice. The scheme closely imitates the evolution of constitutional government in Japan; but so well-qualified a critic as the late Prince Ito expressed the opinion that its success in China is doubtful, and that its failure would imperil peace in the Far East. Sir Robert Hart, on the other hand, has stated his confidence in the " wonderful future" in store for the awakened empire.