TRANSVAAL CONSTITUTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7807, 27 April 1905, Page 2

TRANSVAAL CONSTITUTION.

LIBERAL FRANCHISE. DISAPPOINTMENT EXPRESSED. (Hccejved April 20, 11.0 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. Ijctters Patent providing tor the Transvaal constitution were issued justerduy. The legislative Assembly will be elected every four jeare, I mid will consist of the Lieutcnantkioveruor, between six and nine olllciuls, and between thirty and thirtyHive elected members. The voters Will consist of every burgher of the late republic entitled to vote ■ for ilie iirst Volksraud, und white Britishers with six months' occupation und pujing house rent of £lO os turning iUoo |»er annum. The com*-u-.v is subdivided into thirty to thirty-live electoral districts', rediwded ufter the second biennial and ■ Utter each alternate biennial registration. Debates are to be conducted in English, but with the President's consent Dutch may bo used.

(Meceived April 26, 11.20 p.m.) U)NDON, April 2(1. In dividing tho Transvaal into electoral districts, the Commissioners will give due consideration to existing . administrative divisions. They are empowered to depart from the standard number of votes within 10 per cent. As regards tho war contribution, the 'Government leaves it to the Assembly, boing assured the latter will do what is right. liberal newspapers predict disappointment, but the Daily Chronicle admits that a real, honest deliberative assembly is created. Tho Daily News says that a voter at Johannesburg may represent himself on tho roll as a voter for his whole household. The Constitution ought to be based on tho population, not on the number of electors. The Constitution hunds over the Assembly to the mining population.