Appendix.
The following are in outline the main features of the Canadian Constitution :—
I. By the British North America Act the Executive Government and
authority of and over Canada, as well as the command-in-chiet of the land and naval militia, and of all naval and military forces of and in Canada, were declared to be vested in the Queen.
II. The Parliament consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. The Queen is represented by the Governor-general, who is assisted by a Privy Council, to which belong all those who are and have been advisers of the Crown ; the acting portion of the Council, however, consists only of the ministry of the day.
III. The Governor-general is appointed by the Queen, and holds office for five years. He takes no part in legislation, but assents in the Queen’s name to all measures which have passed both the Senate and the Commons. He may, however, refuse such assent, or may reserve bills for Her Majesty’s consideration. He may also disallow Acts of the Provincial Legislatures, within one year of their having been passed in the Province.
IV. The Senate is composed of members appointed for life by the Crown under the Great Seal of Canada. A Senator is entitled to be called Honourable. He must be a British subject, born or naturalized, have passed the age of thirty years, be a resident in the Province for which he is appointed, and hold property to the value of 4000 dollars (j£8oo) above all liabilities. His seat becomes vacant if he fails to attend two consecutive sessions of Parliament, if he becomes bankrupt or takes advantage of any insolvent law, or is attainted of treason or convicted of felony. The Speaker, who must he a Senator, is appointed by the Governor-general, and 15 members, including the Speaker, form a quorum. Each Senator receives 1000 dollars {£ 200) per annum. The Senate consists of 80 members, and so chosen that 24 belong