(Précis Translation.)
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PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES.
Rules published in the " Official Gazette" of July 24, 1908.
Chapter I.-General Scheme.
Article 1. A provincial assembly shall be established in each province at the seat of the Viceroy or governor.
According to the Imperial decree of the 19th October, 1907, the main purpose of the provincial assemblies is to collect public opinion on the affairs of the provinces with a view to measures of reform and order.
Chapter II-Members.
Art. 2. The assemblies of the different provinces shall consist of the following numbers of elected members :-
Manchuria---
Fêngtien
Members.
Members.
50
Shantung
100
Kirin
30
Honan
96
Hellungchiaug
30
Shensi
63
Peking Prefecture and Chilli Province
140
Shansi
86
Kiangsu (Nanking)
55
Kansu
43
Kiangsu (Soochow)
66
New Dominion (Turkestan)
30
Anhui
83
Szechuan..
105
Kiangei
97
Kwangtung
91
Cheklang.
140
Kuangsi
57
72
68
80 82
39
Fukien
Hupei Hunan
Yuunan Kueichou
Pending reorganisation and the effective removal of the differences between Chinese and Manchus, the Manchu Banners of Peking have a temporary representa- tion of ten members in the Chihli assembly over and above the 140 assigned in the list. The Manchu garrisons in the provinces are also represented in the assemblies concerned by one to three members, the number in each case being fixed by agree- ment between the Viceroy and the Tartar-general.
Art. 3. Males of 25 years or over of the following categories are qualified to elect members in their own province :-
(1.) Persons who have completed three years' service in educational or other public works in the province,
(2.) Graduates with certificates from Chinese or foreign colleges of a certain standing.
(3.) Graduates of the old school of a certain rank.
(4.) Civil officials of the seventh rank or higher, and military officials of the fifth rank or higher.
(5.) Owners of movable or immovable property of the value of 5,000 dollars
or over.
Art. 4. Males of 25 or over are qualified to elect members in provinces other than their native province, provided that they have completed ten years' residence in the province of domicil, and possess movable or immovable property of the value of 10,000 dollars.
Art. 5. Males of the province, or those domiciled for ten years or more in the province, if 30 years of agò, are qualified to serve as members.
(Note. The rule does not say so, but the intention evidently is that the persons mentioned in articles 3 and 4 are eligible for election as members provided that they are over 30.)
Art. 6. The following persons are disqualified from voting as electors and from being elected as members:—
(1.) Persons of refractory, self-seeking, or overbearing character.
(2.) Persons who have suffered imprisonment or higher punishments.
(3.) Persons of irregular occupation.
(4.) Persons who have not cleared theraselves of charges of malversation. (5.) Opium smokers.
(6.) Persons of unsound mind.
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(7.) Persons of unclean origin (actors, lictors, children of prostitutes, &c.).
(8.) Illiterate persons.
Art. 7.--The following persons cannot exercise the right to elect or be elected :---
(1.) Officials, and secretaries of officials, of the provinces.
(2.) Soldiers serving in the regular army or reserves.
(3.) Officers and men serving in the police.
(4.) Clericals of all denominations.
(5.) Students).
Art. 8. Teachers in elementary schools cannot be elected to serve as members. Art. 9. The election of members to be conducted in accordance with the separate regulations on the subject.
Chapter III-President, Vice-Presidents, and Standing Committee.
Art. 10. In each assembly there shall be a president and two vice-presidents and a standing committee of a certain number of members, all of whom shall be elected by the members. The number of a standing committee shall be 20 per cent, of the number of members of the assembly.
President and vice-presidents to be ballotted for individually; the standing com- mittee by ticket. A majority elects.
Details are to be arranged by each assembly.
Art. 11. The president directs the business of the assembly. The vice-presidents assist in the direction. In the absence of the president a vice-president acts as president. In the absence of president and vice-presidents a president is elected pro tempore by the members.
Art. 12. Matters falling within clauses 9 to 12 of article 21 which may be dealt with by the standing committee while the assembly is not sitting shall be reported to the full House at the next session.
The standing committee shall meet in the House of Assembly for business when- ever required by the Viceroy or governor.
Art. 13. President, vice-presidents, and standing committee shall attend regularly
at the House, in session or out of session for the transaction of business.
Art. 14. Apart from the powers assigned to their offices the president and vice- presidents possess no privileges other than those of ordinary members.
Chapter IV-Terms of Office and Vacancies.
Art. 15. The president, vice-presidents and members are appointed for a term of three years. The term of members of the standing committee is one year. The term begins with the opening of the first session after election.
Art. 16. A vacancy in the post of president shall be filled by a vice-president; in When the assembly is the post of vice-president by an election from the members.
not in session this election will be made by the standing committee.
A vacancy in the standing committee shall be filled by the first name on a special supernumerary list.
A vacancy in the House shall be filled by the first name on a supernumerary list of elected persons.
Art. 17. Presidents, vice-presidents, and members elected to fill vacancies shall serve only for the unexpired term of their predecessors.
Chapter V-Re-election und Resignation.
Art. 18. On the expiry of his term a member may offer himself for re-election,
and if re-elected, may continue to serve, but only for one more term.
Art. 19. Members cannot resign except for the following reasons:-----
1. Bond fide illness and physical incapacity,
2. Bond fide official duties or business which prevents regular attendance in the
province.
3. Special permission of the House in other cases.
Art. 20. A member who has served a term may decline to serve if re-elected.
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