DISTURBANCES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8374, 21 July 1905, Page 2

DISTURBANCES.

A ZEMSTVO MOVEMENT. MEETING OF DELEGATES A DEAFT CONSTITUTION.^ United Press Association — By EUctric Telegraph — Copyrig'li't. (Received July. 21, 7.23 a.m.) ST PETERSBURG, July 20. Three hundred delegates of zemstvos and dumas met at Prince Bolgorouki'6 palace. A police attempt to prevent discussion was disregarded, and a resolution was adopted dwelling on the absence of guarantees for the liberty of individuals or the public generally, in M. Buliguine's scheme, and complaining of excessive administration by the police, and their control of the elections. The- alleged discovery of a military plot. against the Czar was also diecussed. A draft constitution, elaborated by the Congress Executive, has been privately published. It provides for an Upper House, elected on the local government franchise which elects the zemstvos and dumas, and a Lower House, elected for four years by universal, equal, direct and secret ballot. The Chambers would originate legislation, control foreign relations and treaties and finance, and be able to impeach Ministers. The doctrine of the Cabinet being responsible for the Czar's autocracy is greatly curtailed, but the Czar is left in command of the armed forces. The Constitution is mainly based on British principles, with an occasional suggestion, of French practice.