REFORM IN CHINA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 967, 7 November 1910, Page 9

REFORM IN CHINA.

PREPARATIONS FOR A PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Peking, November 4. It is announced that Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament arc being formed. According to the nine, years' reform scheme promulgated liy tho Chinese Government in 1908, a Parliament is not to come into being until 1017. Petitions, however, have lately been presented praying for the earlier granting of constitutional government. Discussing the 190S reform scheme recently "Tho Times" correspondent said :— ' ■ "No one can expect the Constitution to burst instantaneously into working, order, whether now or six years hence. The tradition of. too many centuries blocks the way. But the programme contains two conspicuously weak points, according to constitutional ideas. It does not appear to give either to Provincial Assemblies or Senate the least say in financial matters, wo are to wait for the seventh year licforo a Budget' is drawn up,' and there is no clear indication that this will bo done by the Assemblies. And it makes no mention of the control of officials and official appointments by the Assemblies. In view of these deficiencies it is impossible, with all the'sympathy that one may wish to feel for China's constitutional aspirations,, not to wonder whether the reform programme can over attain its ostensible purpose.