IRAQ.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1924, Page 4

IRAQ.

NEAA'S FROM THE DESERT. BAGHDAD, July 31. The Organic Law of Iraq, the draft of which inis recently been approved, with minor modifications, by the Constituent Assembly in Baghdad, represents the latest attempt to draw up a constitution for a senti-Orienlal and extremely backward country, mi modern AA’estcrn and democratic lines. In begins by laying down that “Iraq is a sovereign State, free and independent. Its sovereign rights are indivisible and inalienable. Its Government is that of an hereditary monarchy and its form representative.” The legislative power is vested in Parliament, which consists of the King, "the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies. The King holds bis position “as a trust, confided by the people in Eeisal ibn lloseiu, and bis heirs after him.” The Senate is to be composed of not more than 20 members, who are appointed from "among those who, by their acts, have gained the confidence and trust of people and those who have an honourable post in the service of the Government and the countrysome indefinite descriptions which should offer his Majesty a wide field of choice. The Chamber of Deputies is elective, on the basis of one member to every 20,000 male Iraqi subjects. A senator is to bold bis appointment for eight years, half the Senate being renewed every four years. The ordinary life of the Chamber of Deputies will also be divided into four sessions of four months each. Senators are to receive Rs 5000 for each session (approximately C'3so), and deputies Its. *IOOO (C 275).

POAVERS OF THE CROAVN. The Kings’ powers, as head of the State are very wide. Not only are all civil service and. military appointments in his, band but he nominates Hie senators and also the Prime Minister. Other Ministers are appointed by him on tho advice of the Premier. The Cabinet when appointed is responsible to the Chamber of Deputies, and it« resignation can be procured at any time by a two-thirds majority vote of want of confidence.

The same applies to an individual Minister, hi either case, the Premier or the individual Minister concerned may demand the postponement of the debate, but they can do so only once. The Cabinet is to consist of not less than six, or more than nine; at the present time there are seven Ministers including the Premier. A decision in either House is to be given by a majority of votes, the President only voting in the ease of an equal result, when his easting vote will he decisive. Any male Iraqi of good character is eligible for election to the lower House, but he must be over 30 vears of age. A Minister must lie over 30 years of age at the time of appointment, and a senator over 40. On the dissolution of the lower House, a general election must be held and a new Assembly be brought together in extraordinary session, not more than four months after the date of dissolution.

The ordinary annual sessions of the Assembly will commence at the beginning of November. Should an extraordinary session of the House lie in existence at that time in any year, it shall be dissolved in order to allow of the ordinary session opening at the appointed time.

AN ARABIAN BUDGET. The Budget must he introduced into the Lower House first. It must he discussed article by article, and then again as a whole. No hill involving a charge oil the public funds may ho introduced except hv a Minister. If any financial emergency should arise at a time when the Assembly is not in session the King possesses the power to issue special ordinances to enable the crisis to ho passed. These ordinances must obtain tho approval of tho Cabinet and must he submitted to the Chamber immediately it rcasssemblos, A pcculair provision is that the Chamber may not, without the permission of the King, pass any resolution which includes a proposal for llic cancellation or reduction of any expenditure arising out of treaties previously passed hv Parliament.

The judicial system is divided into civil courts, religious courts, and special courts. The first named deal with criminal eases and civil litigation; the religious courts with all those questions of personal status, marriage, divorce, wilis, etc., which in a Moslem country conic under the jurisdiction of the religious laws ; nndtlie last iiamed with special crimes, such as treason on the part of members of the Government or special disputes in connection with the tribal system, land, or disagreements between the Government and its own servants. The olfieial language of Hie State is to lie Arabic, and the State religion Islam, but the lights of minorities employing other languages or modes of faith are safeguarded. Finally, “Iraq shall be entitled to equal lights and liable to equal obligations”; a pleasing sentiment, but one not without difficulties in practical application to a country containing six different dominant creeds and innumerable minorities of ancient nod ball-forgotten races. MODERN AY AYS.

The number of passengers now travelling by the various motor convoy routes between Baghdad and the Mediterranean across the Syrian desert now number over 500 a month. All classes of travellers are now catered for, and one can cross in the luxurious Cadillacs of tho official mail carriers at .030 the trip, food and drink provided, or go by the more bumble and popular companies at £0 per bead. One company which lias built up a large popular trade at cheap prices runs practically a daily service across, using .sixcylinder Hudson cars, which are said to stand the journey very well. One transport company, represented in Baghdad by an Australian linn domiciled ill Iraq, recently inaugurated a service to Teheran, and already a rival concern lias entered tlie field. It is now possible to go to Teheran mice a week for C 25 a bead, hotels included, with special excursion fares for summer months at COO return, lhe traveller now lias the choice of a variety of routes from. Baghdad to Flurope, for, in addition to the Persian Gulf steamers and the .Alcditerranenn route, be may go by car to Engeli, oil tlie Caspian Sea, taking a Bolshevik steamer (lienee to Baku and nil by train to Moscow. This is the route now used by the I’crsiiin-Eurupoau mails. By way of change one may vary this route by dipping into the ancient city of Tabriz and catching tln* train for the Russian railway system there.

Truly it may be said that no part of the world oilers a wider field lor the discriminating traveller to-day than the Middle East. Baghdad is expecting a "bumper'' tourist season this winter, and is preparing for it by the erection of a large modern hotel. IRAQ INDUSTRY.

The col lon imp in Iraq, picking of w bit-li is now beginning, promises e.\ tifinely well, according In Ibe lnlesl bulletin of the Directorate nf Agriculture. Most encouraging reports, the bulletin states, have been received from all cotton-growing areas. Climatic cniidiiinns so far have been favourable. Spotted hull worm made its appearance early in June, and lias since been found in gardens some six nr seven miles awav from cotton areas on “Jil ji 1 ” (Hibiscus eaiiiiabiniis), “ladies’ fingers” (Hibiscus esculeiitiis), and bollycock, but so far no more than normal damage from this cause lias been reported to the cotton crop. There are good prospects of the date crop (oinnig up to Hie average. The bulk of the “Ilalawai" crop is reported as free from disease, and one particular stretch is boning to produce a yield 30 per cent above that of last year. “Klmdrawis” are likewise reported free from disease, but tho "Saver” variety is poorer, and may be 15 per cent under average. Silk is now being reeled at Baquhnh by the Department of Agriculture at Rs 3 per lb (approximately Is), in order to encourage the industry ; L>oß kilos of cocoons have been produced so far this year, which is over twice tb" output last year. The “duklin” (Rani--I*lllll miliare) crop promises well. Sugar cane has made satisfactory growth, and tillering has been fairly good in most varieties. The valuations of Hie llax grown at Baqbali last year are encouraging, nlthough there is a wide range between Hie lowest and Hie highest. The fibre was valued at CBS per ton to Cl 10, and the tow from Csf> to COO.

During tile month of June the mean maximum ami minimum temperature recorded at the R.A.E. station at Hinaidi, near Baghdad were 105.8 degrees (F.) and 7l.fi degrees (F.) respectively, as against an average for Baghdad for the previous 3G years of 101.3 and 70.2 degrees respectively. The relative humidity was 10 per cent., as compared with the average of 3G per cent. The total rainfall for the year to the end of .Tune amounted to 1.01 inches, as compared with the average of fi.Sfi inches. An unusual feature during the month was the occurrence of very light showers of rain in Baghdad and district, and heavy clouds were also to he seen throughout June. According to local Arab opinion, these predict cold weather and early rains, hut past experience has shown that the Arab is not to he relied upon too closely as a weather prophet. 1\ eather conditions throughout the summer have been highly favourable to plant growth, and the absence of continuous strong j'winds, which are usual at this time of the year, has materially assisted the progress of the summer crop, particaularly that of cotton.