The Constitution of Orange River.

Thames Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 10302, 24 July 1907, Page 4

The Constitution of Orange River.

The ©onatitution of the Orange River Colony haanoWHbeen promulgated. It is very much on the same lines as that (>f :-«*■ Transvaal, > and h«e al' ready been forecasted, by statements made in the House of Commons, of which'some'details have appeared in ! our rcaibles > irom time to time. It pontains two Chambers, the Council consisting of eleven: and the Assembly of thirty-eight members. The Council are appointed by the Governor, three retire at the end of three years,, four at the end of five years, and four at i the «Eft 6f seven years j all are eligr ible for re-appointment; the retiring numbers are Jo be decided by ballot. Should the "Legislature pass a measure ! for an Elective Council, such measure ibfr^ti> take effect be;fore.ihe..pre«ent:'.Oouxvcdl has.been in existence for four years. The members of the Assembly -will be elected for single oonstituencies, of which five .have been apportioned to BloemfonI tein. The Letters Patent provide for* automatici redistribution! on the basis ( of population, the qualification being : <wMte manhood) suffrage. Provisidn , has been made, as with the Transvaal, , for the, retention of the land settte- | intents constituted under Crown Colony : governimmtl These will still be un-. , de* the control /of'the Governor, the adkninistration ibeing left to a Land. . Board appointed by. him■- very much |on the same lines as the provision Sniade in^respect 6i^similar settlements .in the iTririsvaaL : It-w-ill be sonte mionths bef©pe-the elections can be held, lowing *olMie. entailed upon the Comjmiissioners appointed to deKiniti^sthe bbutidaries' of 'the various !oon^itutendes.MTJie Gbnstitdion has ckimm^: nor is it M&ly.i»iao'.g6' itrprovifijofts having beetfsaii^pate^br* statements made %4hef%ip^rialKMinisters; On.: the I!i#i<sie, 3flS© ;feeUng(is-oneu6f ■satisfaction, and tthe^two poliScal partifes^ are alrea# fo^; the election ciamlpa%n.