I 28 discussions lasting over nearly two years. The measure was fully debated in the Legislative Council, and an agreement arrived at with the Government on all the points at issue of any practical importance. The following is a brief summary of the changes introduced by the new law into the system heretofore existing :— The Provincial Councils owe their origin to the Organic Law of 1883. As created by that law, they consisted of members few in number (varying from 3 in the Fayoinn to 8 in Gharbieh), possessing a high property qualification, and elected upon a general list for the Moudirieh by electoral delegates chosen, one for each village, by universal manhood suffrage. It would appear that they were originally intended to act as advisory bodies associated with the Moudirs.

It is more than doubtful whether, under then existing conditions, such bodies could, in any case, have been of any real service in administration; but the fact that, under the law as drawn, they were only to meet when summoned by decree put an end to aU possibility of their exercising any continuous influence over the affairs of the province. Their principle duty has been to elect from amongst their own members representatives upon the Legislative Council. They have been consulted each year as to the annual programme of irrigation works in the province ; under a decree of 1890, they have from time to time approved the creation of agricultural roads, and voted funds for their construction ; and, under a few other special decrees, representatives of the Councils have been added to various administrative commissions. In other respects, the provisions of the Organic Law as to these Councils have remained practically a dead letter.

As regards composition, the new law provides for the election of two representatives from each Markaz (subdivision of a province) by the village delegates. Tlie number of members is, in all cases, considerably increased, and will range from 6 in the smaller provinces to 20 in Gharbieh. The property qualification (payment of land- or house-tax of £E. 50 a-year) is undoubtedly high ; but, as it serves ultimately as the qualification for election to the Legislative Council, it has been left unaltered, except thatj as a premium on education, it has been reduced to £E. 25 in the case of persons holding higher education certificates. It is provided, on the suggestion of the Legislative Council, that candidates must be resident and j)0ssess the necessary qualification in the Markaz.

The Moudir remains ex ojjleio president of the Council. Under the old law the chief engineer was a member, with a vote, for irrigation purposes. Under the new law, there are no ex ojjicio members other than the Moudir, but provision is made for the attendance of public servants at meetings of the Council and its committees at which matters connected with their departments are discussed.

The period for which members are elected remains at six years, one representative of each Markaz retiring by rotation every third year.

In order to secure continuity of action, the times of meeting of the Councils are left to be governed by their standing orders. The president has also a general power to summon meetings, and is bound to do so upon the requisition of one-third of the members.

In respect of a limited number of matters the Councils are given the following specific powers:— {a.) Moudirs possess a not very clearly defined power of making bye-laws. This power is henceforth to be exercised only with the consent of their Councils. The like is the case as to the application within the province of bye-laws made by Ministers.

(5.) Public markets are to be authorized by the Council.

(c.) The Council is to fix the number of ghaffirs (village watchmen) in each village, subject to the approval of the Ministry of the Interior, and to determine their pay. Appeals against the village assessments to ghaflfir-cess are to be heard by a standing committee of the Council.

(d.) The construction of Ezbchs (outlying liaujlets) has hitherto required the authorization of the Ministry of the Interior, and has only been permissible upon properties at least 50 acres in extent. Tlie power to authorize the construction of Ezbehs is transferred to the Councils, subject to a right of appeal by the applicant to the Minister of the Interior, and the restriction as to acreage is removed. The powers of the Minister of the Interior as to the suppression of Ezbehs are also transferred to the Councils.

(c.) Finally, the Councils are created local authorities in connection with elementary vernacular education and trade schools, a matter which has aroused considerable interest in recent years and for which considerable endowments have been provided by local notables. Subject to the general control of the Ministry of Education, the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.