Legislative Council For

New Guinea.

Comprehensive Act Before Federal Parliament.

IN future, European interests in New Guinea will have some voice in the government of the Territory. In the past the Administrator has carried the whole responsibility for legislation and administration.

An amendment of the New Guinea Act was introduced in the Federal Par liament early in September and is still before Parliament. The measure may yet be amended in certain respects; but the following is a summary of its provisions, as originally introduced.

There will be a Legislative Council, which will be primarily concerned with the amendment and making of laws; and an Executive Council, whose pri mary duty will be to assist in the work of administration.

The executive council, “to advise and assist the administrator,” is to consist of nine members appointed by the Governor-General, to hold office dur ing his pleasure—eight to be officers of the Territory and one to be chosen by and from the non-official members of the Legislative Council. The Coun cillors are to have seniority as the Governor-General decides; or accord ing to the priority of their appoint ments; or, if appointed at the one time, in the order in which they are named.

The Administrator will summon meet ings, at which he, or the senior mem ber present, will preside.

Only the Administrator is entitled to submit matters to the Executive Coun cil; but if the Administrator refuses to submit a question when requested in writing by a member to do so, that member may require that his request, and the Administrator’s answer, be re corded on the minutes. The Admini strator may act contrary to the will of the Executive Council; but in that event he must report the circumstances fully to the Federal Minister.

The Legislative Council for the Ter ritory is to consist of the Administra tor, the eight official members of the Executive Council and seven non official members who shall be nomi nated by the Administrator. The seven shall be nominated as follows: Three as representing the planting industry; Two as representing the mining in dustry; Two as representing commercial in terests.

Non-official members must vacate their seats at the end of four years, subject to re-appointment; but they may be removed at any time by the Governor-General.

Whenever the Administrator wishes to obtain the views of any person within the Territory touching any matters before the Council, he may appoint such person to be an extra ordinary member of the Legislative Council for a required period.

One third of the members present will constitute a quorum. The Ad ministrator or the senior official mem ber present will preside. Questions shall be determined by a majority of votes.

The following are important clauses

defining the powers of the Legisla tive Council:— 26. An ordinance, vote, resolution, or ques tion, the object or effect of which is to dis pose of or charge any part of the revenue of the Territory, shall not be proposed in the Legislative Council except by the Administrator, unless this proposal has been expressly allowed or directed by him. 27. Subject to this Act, the Legislative Coun cil shall have power to make ordinances for the peace, order and good government of the Ter ritory.

Other provisions are that the Legis lative Council may not, in arranging Customs duties, discriminate in any way against importations from Aus tralia.

The Administrator has the power to assent to an Ordinance, refuse assent, or reserve same for the Governor- General’s pleasure. The Governor- General may, at any time within six months after the Administrator has given his consent, disallow an Ordin ance.

All Ordinances in force at the pass ing of this Act are to remain in force until altered or repealed by the Legis lative Council.