This page needs to be proofread.

VICTORIA 379

A Board of Control at Sydney, under the Government of New South Wale*, manages the affair* of the island and supervises the palm seed industry.

Books of Reference.

The Official Tear-Book of New South Wales. Published annually by Government Statist. v$.

New South Wales Statistical Register. Published annually by Government Statistician. ■

New South Wales Statistical Bulletin. Published quarterly. Government Statis- tician. Sydney.

New South Wales Statesman's Tear Book. Published annually by Government Statistician (small book to fit waistcoat pocket).

Handbook for New South Wales, prepared in connection with the British Association Bg. Sydney, 1914.

A Guide for Immigrants and Settlers. Issued by Intelligence Department, 8ydney. 111. 1906.

Australian Historical Society Journal. Quarterly. Sydney.

Official Reports of Railway Commissioners : Mines Department ; Department of Lauds; t ; Public Works ; Public Instruction ; Board of Water Supply and Sewerage: Sydney Hari-our Trust Commissioners ; Water Conservation and Irrigation Oommis' issioners. Published annually. Sydney.

David (T. v V New South Wales, Historical, Physiographical and Economic.

Melbourne and London, 1919.

Ste also under Australia.

VICTORIA

Constitution and Government.

Victoria, formerly a portion of New South Wales, was, in 1851, proclaimed a separate colony, with a partially elective Legislative Council, and in 1855 responsible self-government was conferred. The legislative authority is vested in a Parliament of two Chambers. The Upper House consists of 34 members, elected for six years, and the Lower of 65, elected for three years (unless sooner dissolved). Members of the Council must be in possession of an estate of the net annual value of 502. for one year prior to their electiou ; and electors must be in the possession or occupancy of property of the rateable value of 10/. per annum if derived from freehold, or of 15/. if derived from leasehold or the occupation of rented property. No electoral property qualification is required for graduates of British or Colonial univer- sities, matriculated students of the Melbourne University, ministers of religion of any denomination, certificated teachers, lawyers, medical prac- titioners, and officers of the army and navy active and retired. One-half of the members of the Legislative Council retire every three years. The members of the Legislative Assembly require no property qualification, and are elected by universal male and (since 190S) female suffrage, and no persou may vote in more than one district, nor twice in the same district. Clergymen of any religious denomination are not allowed to hold seats in either the Legislative Council or the Legislative Assembly.

Members of the Legislative Assembly are entitled to reimbursement for expenses at the rate of 500/. per annum, and members of both Houses have free passes over all the railways.

Governor. — Lord Stradbroke.

Lieutenant Governor. — Hon. Sir William H. Irvine, K.C.M.G.

In the exercise of the executive the Governor is assisted by a Cabinet of responsible ministers.

The Ministry (November 1920) is as follows : —

Premier and Minister oj Agriculture. — Hon. H. S. W. Latcson, M.L.A.

Astittant Minister of Agriculture. — Hon. H. Angut, M.L.A.