POLITICAL PARTIES IN BELGIUM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 14, 6 April 1899, Page 5

POLITICAL PARTIES IN BE LGIUM.

The present constitution of Belgium dates only from the year IS.SO. Then it was that the Belgians threw off the yoke of the Dutch supremacy, set up their national assembly, formed their constitution and elected their kin» — Leopold 1., and a little later opened their Senate and Chamber of Xt pixsentatnes.

The Senate or Upper Chamber (sjy-, the Monitor) is composed of Senators elected by the older and wealthier citiz-ns ; the Chamber of Representatives is lormed by members elected by the ordinary voters. Since the opening of these two chambers there have been two predominant parties, the Catholics and the Liberals. For the last fourteen years, however, the Government has been Catholic, and Belgium has experienced an era of prosperity unparalleled in its'history — in fact, it is the most prosperous and contented country in Europe. The last general election in ISiM resulted in the Liberal party being almost annihilated ; they lost 1 1 seats, whilst the Catholics by a remarkable political measure gained :V2. This election, however, marked the entrance into Parliament of the Socialists, who took 2'J scats. Thus the Catholics in the Lower Chamber numbered lO.~> strong, the Liberals IS, Socialists 2!i, whilst in the Senate the Catholics counted ~>\ seats, the Liberals 2.">. The entrance of the Socialists caused some little anxiety, and for the first time since the forming of the present constitution the king did not come to the opening of the Parliament. After the partial elections of LSOfi the Catholics still gained in strength to the detriment of the Liberals ; the Catholics counted 111 seats, the Liberals 12, the Socialists 2'J. Thus at the present moment the Catholics form an overwhelming majority.

A few years ago Belgium became posseted of the Congo, a vast ■^African possession. Here they have met with gieat success both at, commerce and missionary effort. Tliih latter development * it will be interesting to watch, for the Belgians- bold a splendid reputation aa missionaries. Their apostles are rapidly spreading over the Congo, and they are there doing a great and noble work. We may reasonably hope for good rcbults, for they are all burning with the same ardour and /.eal as their model and compatriot, the late lamented Father Damien.