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 SOUTHERN RHODESIA. 
 
 DESPATCH 
 
 TO TllK 
 
 HIGH COMMISSIONEIi FOR SOUTH AFRICA 
 
 TRANSMITTINCr 
 
 Draft Letters Patent providing for the constitution 
 of Responsible Government in the Colony of 
 Southern Rhodesia, and other draft Instru- 
 ments connected therewith. 
 
 Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty. 
 January, 1922. 
 
 LONDON: 
 POBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. 
 
 To be purctiaspfl tlirough anv Pjooksf^ler or dirfcHv from 
 
 H.M. STATION KKV OFFli'H ;it tlin followiu^ ali.li esses : 
 
 Imperial Hocse, Kingsway. London, \V.<".2. ami 'M, AiiiNtinoN Sikket, London. S.W.I 
 
 37. Peter Street, Manchester ; L St. Anhrews Crescent, Caruife ; 
 
 Ti, Forth Street. EmNiuROU, 
 
 1922. 
 
 [Cmd. 1573. J 
 
 Price Gd. Net.
 
 DESPATCH 
 
 TO THE 
 
 HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR SOUTH AFRICA 
 
 TRANSMITTING 
 
 Draft Letters Patent providing for the constitution of Responsible 
 Government in the Colony of Southern Rhodesia, and other 
 draft Instruments connected therewith. 
 
 SOUTH AFRICA. 
 SOUTHERN RHODESIA. 
 
 Downing Street, 
 
 22n(i December^ 1921. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour to transmit to Your Eoyal Highness copies of 
 the following draft Instruments : — 
 
 (a) Draft Order in Council annexing the Territory of Southern 
 Rhodesia. 
 
 (6) Draft Letters Patent providing for the constitution of Respon- 
 sible Government in the Colony of Southern Rhodesia. 
 
 (c) Draft Letters Patent constituting the office of Governor. 
 
 {d) Draft Instructions to the Governor. 
 
 2. These drafts are in the form in which I have determined them 
 after hearing the views of the Delegation of Elected Members, and of 
 the British South Africa Company. 
 
 3. Drafts (c) and {d) are adapted from the forms used in granting 
 responsible government to the Transvaal in 1906, and do not, I think, 
 call for any explanation. Draft (a) and the main draft (6) are based 
 on the recommendations contained in the first report* of Lord Buxton's 
 Committee. The origin of the various clauses of draft {h) is shown in 
 the marginal references ; I need, therefore, only refer to such points 
 as require special comment. 
 
 4. Clause 1 relating to the future Legislature has been drafted so 
 as to enable the Legislative Council now subsisting to function, if 
 required, during the short period between the coming into force of 
 the Letters Patent, as provided in Clause G3, and the date of nomina- 
 tion of candidates for the first elections to the new Legislative Assembly. 
 This period could not be more than about five months, since the first 
 session must be held within six months of the commencement of the 
 Letters Patent (Clause 16 (2)). The Legislature would be, in the first 
 place, unicameral, as proposed by Lord Buxton's Committee, but 
 Clause 2 provides for the future constitution of a second Chamber. 
 
 • IC.d. 1273, . ^^^ ^.^^^^^
 
 349- 
 ' G-19 s 
 
 5. Clause G applies the existing; electoral laws <,'riieral]y, subjeet to 
 such ameudnients as might in the future be made by the Legislature. 
 In the course of the discussion with the Delegation a suggestion was 
 made that provision should be made for a system of j)roportional 
 representation, but I have not felt able to introduce an electoral 
 change of this importance into the Letters Patent. The matter is 
 one which could, of course, be dealt with by the new Legislature. 
 
 G. The question has been considered in connection with Clause 8 
 whether provision should not be made for the automatic redivision 
 of the Colony into electoral divisions at stated periods, as was done 
 in the Transvaal Letters Patent of 190G. There is much to be said 
 for this proposal, but the question is one which I would in the circum- 
 stances rather leave to the new Administration. I have, therefore, 
 thought it preferable not to provide for this in the Letters Patent. 
 
 7. Under Section 28, relating to the class of Bills to be reserved, 
 it will be seen that the Governor will be required to reserve any law 
 altering or amending the arrangements relating to the collection and 
 allocation of mining revenue in force at the commencement of the 
 Letters Patent under any existing law or otherwise or any law^ imposing 
 any special rate, tax, or duty, on minerals in or under land within the 
 Colony. In making this provision it is not intended to suggest that 
 the Company's mineral rights would not be fairly treated by the new 
 Administration. His Majesty's Government feel, however, that the 
 position of the British South Africa Company in regard to the minerals 
 is in two respects special. First, there is the pronouncement of the 
 Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as to the connection between 
 the existence of these mineral rights and the absence of any provision 
 for the remuneration of the Company for its administrative ser\'ices, 
 and secondly, there is the arrangement as to the allocation of mining 
 revenue adopted by Lord Cave's Commission, as set out in the despatch 
 of the 17th March," 1921, printed at p. 20 of [Cmd. 1273]. These con- 
 siderations have led me to insert clause 28 {d) in the draft. 
 
 8. Clause 28 (e) deals with a matter which has required and has 
 received my most careful consideration, namely, the position of the 
 existing railways in relation to the general powers of legislation 
 conferred by the Letters Patent. 
 
 I have no reason to anticipate, and 1 fully accept the assurance 
 which I have received from the Delegation on this head, that these 
 powers would be exercised in any spirit but that 6i comj)lete good- 
 will towards enterprises which have contributed in so large a measure; 
 to the development of Rhodesia, and now play so important a j)art 
 in the scheme of Ln])erial communications. But I have been deeply 
 impressed by two features of the situation : — first, the magnitude of 
 the investment made by the British South Africa Company in the 
 railways, and the very heavy burden of financial obligation assumed 
 by the British South Africa Comjiany in the guarantees which they 
 have given to the Debenture holders ; and secondly, the absence of 
 anything like a code of railway legislation, determining the relative 
 rights of the railway proprietors and the general community. If such 
 legislation had existerl, the claim of the British South Africa Company
 
 to the recognition of its sjiecial position in relation to the "railways 
 might well have been left to the general powers of protection conferred 
 upon the Imperial authorities by the Letters Patent. The new Legis- 
 lature should not, I think, find it difficult to frame suitable legislation 
 having regard to the experience of this country in dealing with private 
 Railway Companies and to the assistance which they would derive 
 from a study of the legislation in force here, and after careful con- 
 sideration of all the circumstances I have come to the conclusion 
 that the requirements of the case would be met by providing for the 
 reservation of any law dealing with railways in the Colony, until 
 legislation shall have come into force in Southern Rhodesia adopting 
 so" far as may be applicable the provisions of the law in force in the 
 United Kingdom relating to the Railway and Canal Commissioners 
 and to the Rates Tribunal provided for by the Railways Act, 192L 
 
 This course, whilst not affecting the general right of the new Colony 
 to legislate in connection with railways, in the interests of law, order, 
 and good government, would afford the Company the same measure 
 of protection to its railway rights as exists in similar cases in the 
 United Kingdom. 
 
 9. In connection with Clause 38, I may observe that I am advised 
 that no special provision is necessary to preserve the present system 
 of appeals from the High Court of Southern Rhodesia to the Appellate 
 Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa, since this matter is 
 dealt with in Section 103 of the South Africa Act, 1909. It may be 
 noted, however, that there would be nothing to prevent the new 
 Administration legislating under a particular Act for direct appeal 
 from the High Court to the Privy Council in a new class of civil cases 
 in which under the law^ in force at the establishment of the Union 
 there was no appeal to the Supreme Court of the Cape. 
 
 10. The Clauses relating to Native Administration (39-47) are 
 designed to preserve the essential features of the existing system of 
 native administration which has worked satisfactorily in the past. 
 Provision tas akn Kppti marlp inv fliP prtsp jble futu iP pstabljshffi^nt of 
 Nativ e^ Coiin cils in the Rese rves on the lines of the rec£nt-IInion 
 Act_23 of J.^^ In connection with Clause 43, the Rhodesian Dele- 
 gation suggested that specified Hi strict s shou ld be^ se t aside" "5j the 
 Hig h Co mmissioner in wh^*^!^ naf^rpg nlf>]^P Tr^jglif. acquire land aiid 
 within which Europeans^ should not bo allowed to do so. I have 
 informed the delegates thatJhe existini:; clause enshrines a long accepted 
 ])rineijjejmfl3hat}J-^0"lH b e nn willing_,to_ajjree to an alteration^ the 
 co rollary of .^gjiich see ms to be the exclusion of natives from other 
 a reas ; but that if full and impartial enquiry should show, after 
 responsible government had come into force, that some amendment of 
 the la\\^ is necessary. His Majesty's Government would be prepared to 
 consider an amendment. 
 
 11. Clause 48 deals with the unalienated lands and provides for the 
 appointment of a Crown Land Agent (assisted by an Advisory Board), 
 who is empowered to dispose of the lands at such prices as may in all 
 the circumstances be in his opinion fair and reasonable, the revenue 
 derived therefrom being paid to the British South Africa Company
 
 so long as any ])art of tlie debt due to tlio Com|)any on account of tho 
 administrative deficit remains unpaid. The Clause has been drawn 
 in this form since the Biitish South Afiica Company objected to the 
 proposal made by Lord Buxton's Conunittee for tlie establishment 
 of a Land Board. The Company maintain, indeed, that the Clause 
 is inconsistent with their rights under the Privy Council judgment, 
 but this view is regarded by the Legal Advisers of tlie Crown as witliout 
 foundation. 
 
 12. Clause 51 states that in the event of any moneys being jirovided 
 by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for the payment of 
 compensation to the British South Africa Company in lespect of any 
 buildings and works which may be taken over in accordance with 
 provisions of x^rticle 33 of the Company's Charter, the Consolidated 
 Revenue Fund would be charged with all such moneys together with 
 interest at a rate to be fixed by the Treasury, and all such moneys 
 and interest should be rejiaid not later than one year after the com- 
 mencement of the Letters Patent. As was explained in Lord Milner's 
 memorandum of December, 1920,* it is considered that this is an 
 obligation which must clearly devolve upon the new Administration, 
 who will also, of course, have to repay any of the annual loans of 
 £150,000 which His Majesty's Government may advance pending the 
 grant of responsible government. I am advised that in the case of 
 the movable assets, which are also referred to in Lord Milner's memo- 
 randum, the property in tliese will pass to the Crown on the termination 
 of the Company's administration, without the necessity for any pay- 
 ment in cash, the cost being included in the administrative deficits. 
 Similarly, as regards debtor balances and creditor balances, these will 
 be added to or deducted from the administrative deficits. I shall 
 no doubt have to address you further on this subject in due course. 
 
 L3. Clauses 56 and 57 deal' with the position and pension rights 
 of the public officers of the territory. In framing these clauses I have 
 given careful consideration to the representations )nade on ))ehalf of 
 the Southern Rhodesian Civil Service and the Police, and I am con- 
 fident that the clauses should adequately secure the rights of public 
 servants. 
 
 14. The only other matter I need refer to is the question which 
 has been raised whether, in the event of the grant of responsible 
 government to Southern Rhodesia, certain other territories should be 
 admitted, viz., the railway strip in Northern Rhodesia and the Tati 
 district in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. I am advised, however, 
 that these territories could, if it is found desirable, be added to Southern 
 Rhodesia after annexation, under the Colonial Boundaries Act, and no 
 special provision in the Letters Patent is necessary. 
 
 15. These Letters Patent, if finally adopted, would, in the view of 
 His Majesty's Government, confer on the people of Southern Rliodesia 
 a full and satisfactory control of tlieir government and administration 
 subject only to tlie reservations which the peculiar liistory of tiie 
 country imposes. They embody a policy which, if the ])eoj)le of 
 Southern Rhodesia should decide ultimately to adopt it. His Majesty's 
 
 * Appendix II in (Cnid. 127;i.J 
 (B3;28y) 4. 2
 
 Government would be ready to carry out. There is, however, an 
 alternative policy — that of entry into the South African Union, which 
 the people of Southern Rhodesia must also consider, and since the 
 South Africa Act has not defined the conditions of entry it is my 
 intention that a delegation should be apj)ointed to confer with General 
 Smuts for the purpose of ascertaining the exact terms on which Southern 
 Rhodesia could enter the Union. When these terms have been ascer- 
 tained, and a sufficient time has elapsed for consideration and public 
 discussion on these alternative policies, it is my view that the people 
 of Southern Rhodesia should declare their opinion by means of a 
 Referendum which would place both policies before them. The precise 
 form of the Referendum need not be determined at this stage. 
 
 16. You should cause this despatch and the enclosures to be 
 published in such form as may seem to you to be most convenient. 
 
 I have, etc., 
 
 WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. 
 
 HiGU Commissioner 
 
 Major-General His Royal Highness 
 Prince Arthur op Connaught, 
 
 K.G., K.T., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.B., 
 
 ETC., ETC., ETC.
 
 ENCLOSURE No. I. 
 
 SOUTHERN RHODESIA. 
 
 [Draft Order in Coimcil Annexing the Terrilnrj/.) 
 
 WHEREAS the Territories in South Africa situate witliiii the limits of the 
 Southern Rhodesia Order in Comuil 1898 and Unown as Smitiiern Khoth'sin 
 are under the ])roteotion of His Majesty the King : 
 
 And Whereas Britisli subjects have settled in iarfxe numbers in the said 
 Territories and it is expedient, with a view to the further (U-velopment and more 
 convenient administration of the said Territoiies, that they shouhi be annexed 
 to and should henceforth form pait of His Majesty's ])ominions : 
 
 Xow, Therefore, His Majesty is pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy 
 (Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows : — 
 
 1. Title of Order. — This Order may be cited as the Southein Rhodesia ( Aiuiexa- 
 tion) Order in Council, 192 . 
 
 2. Limits of Order. [See Southern Rhodesia Order in Connril 1898, Sen. 4.] — • 
 Until further provision shall be made in lespect thereof, the limits of tliis Order 
 ai'c the jiarts of South Africa boimded by the Portuguese Possessions, by the 
 Union of South Africa to a point ojjposite the mouth of the River Shashi, by 
 the River Shashi to its junction with the Tati and Ramaquaban livers, thence 
 by the Ramaquaban river to its source, thence by the wateished of the liveis 
 Shashi and Ramaquaban until such watershed sti'ikes the Hunters' Road (called 
 the Pandamatenka road) thence bj' that road, to the River Zambesi, and by tiiat 
 river to the Portuguese boimdary. The'said limits include an area of ten miles 
 radius round Fort Tuli, but exclude the area of the district known as the Tati 
 district as defined by the C'harter of the 29th day of October, 1889, incorjiorating 
 the British South Africa C'onipany. 
 
 .3. Annexation. Name of Coloni/. — From and after the coming into operation 
 of this Order the said Tei'ritories shall be annexed to and form jiart of His 
 Majesty's Dominions, and shall be known as the Colony of Southein Rhodesia, 
 hereinafter called the Colony. 
 
 4. Validitfi of Orders in Council, etc., and of Acts done thereunder. — Nothing in 
 this Order shall affect the validity of any Order in Council affecting the said 
 Territories, or of any Ordinance, Proclamation or Regulations ])assed or issued 
 under any such Order, or of any act or thing done under any such Order, Ordin- 
 ance, Proclamation or Regulations, save in so far as any provision of any such 
 Order, Ordinance, Proclamation oi' Regulations may be repugnant to the pro- 
 visions of any Act of Parliament w Inch may, by reason of the annexation hereby 
 declared, become extended to the Colony or to any Order or Regulation maile 
 under the authority of anj' such Act or having in the Colony the force and effect 
 of any such Act. 
 
 ' 5. Cormmncement of Order. — This Order shall be published in the Official 
 Gazette of Southern Rhodesia, and shall thereupon commence and come into 
 operation, and the High Commissioner shall give directions for the publication 
 of this Order at such places and in such manner, and for such time or times, 
 as he thinks proper for giving publicity thereto within the Colony. 
 
 6. Pou'er to revoke, etc. — His Majesty may from time to time revoke, alter, 
 add to, or amend this Order. 
 
 And the Right Honourable Winston Spencer Churchill, one of His Majesty's 
 Principal Secretaries of State, is to give tlie necessary dii-ectiona herein actoid- 
 ingly- 
 
 (b 3/289j A 3
 
 DKAFI'. 
 
 8 
 ENCLOSURE No. II. 
 
 SOUTHERN RHODESIA CONSTITUTTOX. 
 
 Abbremations in marginal referpvce.<t* 
 N. = Natal Constitution Act, 1893. 
 T. = Transvaal Constitution Letters Patent, 1906. 
 M. = Malta Constitution Letters Patent, 1921. 
 S.R. = Southern Rhodesia Order in Council, 1898. 
 Report = First Report of Lord Buxton's Committee. [Cmd. 1273.] 
 
 Letters Patent providing for the constitution of Responsible Government in 
 the Colony of Southern Rhodesia. 
 
 George the Fifth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain 
 and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender 
 of the Faith, Emperor of India, unto all to whom these presents shall come 
 Greeting. 
 
 Recites Southern Rhodesia Order in Council 1898 and Amending Orders. — 
 Whereas by the Southern Rhodesia Order in Council 1898, as added to altered 
 or amended by divers further Orders in Council provision was made for the 
 administration of the government of certain territories of Africa under Our 
 protection and known as Southern Rhodesia : 
 
 Recites Southern Rhodesia (Annexation) Order in Council \92 . — And whereas 
 by an Order in Our Privy Council bearing date the day of 
 
 192 , and known as the Southern Rhodesia (Annexation) Order in Council 192 
 it is provided that the territories within the limits of the Southern Rhodesia 
 Order in Council 1898 and known as Southern Rhodesia, shall, from and after 
 the coming into operation of the said Order, be annexed to and form part of Our 
 Dominions, and shall be known as the Colony of Southern Rhodesia : 
 
 And whereas the said Order in Council was piiblished in the official Gazette 
 of Southern Rhodesia on the day of 192 , and thereupon 
 
 commenced and came into ojieration : 
 
 And whereas We are minded to provide for the establishment of Responsible 
 Government, subject to certain limitations hereinafter set foith, in Our said 
 Colony : 
 
 Now know ye that We do declare Our will and pleasure to be as follows — - 
 
 The Legislature. 
 
 1. The Legislature. — In place of the Legislative Council now subsisting there 
 shall be a Legislature consisting of a Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, 
 constituted as hereinafter provided. 
 
 Subject to the provisos hereinafter contained, the constitution, appointment 
 and powers of the Legislative Council now subsisting shall continue in force 
 until the date of the nomination of Members for election to the Legislative 
 Assembly, and no longer. (T. l.N. 3.) 
 
 Provided however that until the said date (New) :— 
 
 (a) The persons other than the Administrator who at the commencement 
 of these Our Letters Patent are Members of the said Legislative 
 Council now subsisting shall continue to be Members thereof ; 
 
 (/>) The Governor of the Colony shall be a Member of the said Council in 
 place of the Administrator, and shall preside at the meetings theieof, 
 and in his absence such other Member of the said Council as may be 
 appointed in writing by the Governor shall preside ; 
 
 (r) The power of the British South Africa Company to remove or suspend 
 nominated Members of the said Council shall be vested in the Governor, 
 and whenever the seat of a nominated Member becomes vacant by 
 death, resignation or removal, the Governor shall appoint a successor. 
 
 * These are printed here in black type at the end of the paragraphs.
 
 The Legislative Council. 
 
 2. Legislative Council. Conslilvlimi. — It shall l)c lawful a( any (iiii<- after the 
 connnc-ncoincnt of these Our Letters Patent for tlie Le<;islative Ass(inliiy to pasK 
 a law, subject as hereinafter provided, constitutiii<i the Le^'islati\c Couiieil, nnd 
 until any sueh law shall have been ])assed and biou^dit into ojieiation the Lr^'is- 
 lativc Assembly shall be for all purjjoses tlie Lefrislature witiiiii the lueanin;.' of 
 these Our Letters Patent. (See Report, § 60 (b).) 
 
 The Legislative Assembly. 
 
 3. Legislative Assembly. Conslilvlirm. Election nf M(iiili('i.-<.~ 'l'\\r \A}i[s\ni'\\v 
 Assembly shall consist of Members who shall be elected by tiu^ voters in 
 and for the several electoral distiicts as hereinafter deiined, and foi- the jnn pose 
 of constituting the Legislative Asscml)ly the Governor, befoie the time a]>|H)intcd 
 for the first meeting thereof, and tlieieaftci' from time to time as occasion shall 
 require, and without undue delay, may in Our name issue writs under the Public 
 Seal of the Colony for the general election of Members to serve in the Legislative 
 Assembly. (T. 8. N. 22 & 23.) 
 
 4. Qualifications and disqnaJificah'ons of voters. — The qualifications and dis- 
 qualifications of persons to be voters at any election of Mcmbeis of the Legislative 
 Assembly to be held under the provisions of these Our Letters Patent shall be 
 those prescribed by the existing elcctoial laws of the Colony, as hereinafter- 
 defined, or by anj' laws amending or substituted for the same hereafter to be 
 passed bv the Legislature constituted bv these Our Letters Patent. (Sec Report, 
 §60 (b).) 
 
 5. First elections. — (1) For the puij^ose of tlie first election of Mend)ers of 
 the Legislative Assembly, to be held under the provisions of these Our Letters 
 Patent, the voters shall be the persons whose names apjiear on the register here- 
 inafter mentioned. (T. 11 (1), as modified in M. 15 (1).) 
 
 (2) For the pui'pose of the said first election the electoral districts shall be 
 those constituted under the existing electoral laws of the CJolony for the jiurposc 
 of the election of Members of the subsisting Legislative Council. Jt shall be law- 
 ful for the Governor by Proclamation published in the Gazette to declare wliat 
 number of Members shall be elected to the Legislative Assembh^ for each district 
 and where more than one Membei- is to be returned for any district to make any 
 necessary amendments in the existing electoral laws of the Colony with regard 
 to the metliod of voting and the general conduct of the election. (M. 15 (2). 
 Cf. S.R. 18.) 
 
 (3) For the purpose of the said liist election the Governor shall as soon as 
 practicable after the date of the commencement of these Our ]x>tters Patent 
 cause lists of voters resident in each such electoral district at that date to be 
 compiled in accordance with the existing electoral laws of the Colony, and the 
 lists so compiled shall constitute the register of voters for the said first election. 
 (T. 11 (2) as modified in M. 15 (4).) 
 
 6. Application of existing electoral laws for purposes of- elections gencrallij. — 
 Subject to the provisions of the last preceding section the registration of voters, 
 the preparation of lists of voters, the nomination of candidates, the conduct of 
 elections and the hearing of election ])etitions shall be cariied out in accordance 
 with the existing electoral laws of the ColonJ^ or any laws amending or substituted 
 for the same hereafter to be passed by the Legislature constituted by these Oui 
 Letters Patent. (T. 12. N. 24. M. 19.) 
 
 7. Biennial comjmtulion of voters.- Vor the pur])oscs of the computation here- 
 inafter provided for, every liegistering Ofhcer in the Colony shall, from time to 
 time, between the comjjletion of one registration of voteis and the rlate fixed 
 for the next registration under the existing electoral laws of the Colony, insert 
 in the alphabetical list of persons resident within his area who are within his 
 judgment entitled to be registered, the name of any ])erson who since the com- 
 pletion of the said first mentioned legist rat ion shall claim to have, and who in 
 the judgment of the Registering Oflicer has, become entitled to be registered 
 as aforesaid, and at the end of eveiy two years there shall be a comjiutation 
 of the total number of persons inserted in the list for every such area. The first
 
 10 
 
 <'iiiii|miImIii>ii mIijiII Im' iiiaili in. I IjiIci IIiiiii llir hi;;l iljiy <if I (icniilni , IML' . 
 (Now, .;/. T. 13.) 
 
 H. liiilirlsioii iif Coli'iii/ into iltrlniiil (li.slrids. ll|i(.ii the cumiili-l ii)ii nf I lir 
 (iiHl. hioiiiiiiil, luid lli(>ivailci' of ovvvy allciiiiilc' Iticimiiil <M)m|intali()ii. »h iifori'- 
 Hiiid. it hIihII I)c lawful for I Ik^ L(«-jriHla"(iiiv l»y an Act to Ix- |»mhh<mI for llial |mii|»oho 
 if i(<(|iiinHl l»y I lit' K''"^vtli or (IIhI lilMilimi of tin- populat ion l.o rcdividc Sonllicrii 
 lUioilcMia into i-lcc.loral (liHlriclH for llic purpoMr of Hit' ricction of Mi-miIiimh of 
 tlic LrK'iHliHivt" AHS(<nil»ly. and hy hihIi Ad to dflcrniinc Hit- nninlu-r of McimIm is 
 to lio rcliiriu'd for (micIi hiicIi ••Icclonii disliicl. (T. 14 aw modihod in M. 24.) 
 
 \). Will II mlirisinii iif ('(ihiiiji lo niiiir into oi>rniili>ii. Any icdiviHion of l\w 
 (Nilony made aH afoicHaid sluill conic into opciiilion at liic next "general election 
 li»«ld after llie coin|tlct inn oi I lie redivinion, iiiid iimI earlier. (T. 17.) 
 
 10. Qiiiilifinilliiii of Mniihiin of Ixi/lMlaliir. A.'isrinhli/. Until otlierwiHi^ |iro- 
 vided liy tlie hc^^islal ni'c conHtiliilcd liy llieHc Our LetttMH ralcnl, |M«rHonH 
 <|iialilicd under the (vxistin^j el(>eloral lawH of the (.'olony to Iteconie Mondiers 
 of th<' Le^'i.Mlativc Conneil now Hultsi.slinj^ Hhall lie (|iialilied lo liccoine .MeinherH 
 of the Lej^iHlalive .VsHenilily. (N. 23 lal fiiinii.) 
 
 11. Sitridrr lunl lirjuilii Si>ridrr of hiyLsliiliir .l.s.sc»/V>///. The Le^inlalivo 
 AHsemlily sliall. on their lirsl inectint^, heforc proceediiin; Id (,h(< diHpatch of any 
 other husincs.s. elec^l one (d' llieii' Meinluun to he Speaker and anoth<'r to he 
 Di'pntv Speaker and Chaiiinan (d ( 'oiniidlt(<eH (hereinafter ealled the Deputy 
 Speaker) of the Hn.id ,\sscinh|y (Hiihjeid in hoth eawcH to eoiilirniat ion hy tlu^ 
 (Joveinoi) until the diMHoliition lhiM'e(d', and in eawi of vacancy in eilh(«i' odieo 
 another Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the cane may he, hIihII he elected in lik(< 
 manner and snhjcil lo .mich cunlirmalion aw ahircsaid. (T. 19 (1) ns modified 
 in M. 16 (1). N. 28.) 
 
 12. SjtcuLfr to piTsiilr. The Speaker, oi in his .ihseiiec the Deputy Speak(<r. 
 and in the ahsence of hoth Sjieakei and Deputy Speaker .some Memher elected 
 l»y the L(^<^inlalive AHHcmlily, Mhall pic.-iide a I I lie Meelinns Ihereor. (T. 20 an 
 modlfiod in M. 16 (2). n! 29.) 
 
 i:t. Qiioniiii. The Le^iHlative AHHcmhly shall not he disipialilied from tin- 
 transaction of hiisiness on aeeouiil of any vacajieies ainon^ (he Mcmhcrs thert>of, 
 hut. th<' said .Vsst^mlily shall not Im^ eoinp(<t(Md. to prot^eed to the d(<spatch of 
 husini'HH nnh'ss Mcmhcrs he pi'e.senl. (T. 21. N. 30.) 
 
 II. /{rsiijiiiitioH of snit ill Li'ijinliilirr .lusniilili/. .\ny Memher of the Li-^is- 
 lative Ass(>mhly may resij^n his seat t hei(>in hy writ ini^ iindi-r his hand addiessed 
 to 1 he Spe dvcr, and upon t he receijit of such resij^nat ion hy ( h<- Speaker t he seat 
 of such MciiiIht .iliall Ixmoiiic vacant : (T. 22. N. 35.) 
 
 Provided t ha.t no Memher siiall, wilhonl (he permission of I he Le^^islative 
 Assendily, resi^^n his seat whil(< any proceedings are peiidini; in respect of his 
 (>leetion if it is a.||(>i^(Ml in those proceedings that any coriupt or illegal practices 
 took p!ae(< at I hat election, oi' while any procei'din^^s are contemplated oi' p(<ndin^ 
 in i-espnit. of his condiicl in. or as a Memher of, th<< Lefjislat ivc ,\ssemhly. (rf. 
 M, 34.) 
 
 I.''), W'lil.i for JllliiK/ ritniiirif.i. (I) W'luMiever a vacancy occurs in (he Le^is- 
 lativ<' ;\ssemhly I'lom any ciius(>, olher (han as (he resuK of an election pt^titioii, 
 the Speaker shall, upon a rcsohilion of the said Assemhly declaiiii!^ such vacaiii\\', 
 iidorm th<' ({ovtMiior thereof. (T. 23. N. 36 and 37.) 
 
 (2) I'rovidiMl that if such \ai:ane.v oeciiis when the henislative Assemhly 
 is no(. in session, (he SpeakiM', or in (he case id' (he death, incapacity, or ahscnee 
 from (he ( 'olony of t he Speidvcr, (he ( 'Icrk (o ( he .\ssemhly, *shall, on a c(<rt ilicate 
 under the hands id' two Memheis of (he Assemhly, slatinj^ that suidi vacancy 
 has occurred and I he cause thereof, inform (he (Jovcrnor theieof. {*('!■ M. 36 
 (2).) 
 
 (!l) The (Jovernor on receiving; such information shall !|\\ithout delay cause 
 th«' necessary steps to i»e tak(<n for lilling sut h vacancy in accordance with tin- 
 Law for thti time hein^; in force in the ('olony under the piosisions of Section (I 
 of tluw^ (hir Letters I'alent, (T. 23 (3) tw modiliotl in M. 36 (3).) (iCf. 
 N . 34 . )
 
 II 
 
 IjKQtSr.ATIVK f'oUNCll- AND LwilSl. All \ K AssKM lll.Y. 
 
 l(i. Sr.'isioii.t of Ixijtslalurv. - {\) Tlicrr wliall Im- ii Scssidii of llic liCi^isladiii' 
 (»m;o lit least in cvorv year, ho (hati a period of twelve" inoiitlis Hliall not iiilcivciie 
 between tho last HJttiiiL; of tlie Lei^islature in (»no Sosaion and llie liisl Hiltiiij; 
 tiiereof in tho ae\t Session. 
 
 (2) 'riio lirst Session shall he held within six months of the date when these 
 Uur Jiettci'S Patent shall euniinenee to take elTect. (T. 24. N. 12.) 
 
 17. Place and time of holding SessionJt of Legislature. — The liisI and every ot her 
 Session of the Le{:;islature shall ho held in sueh })laeo and at sneli time as may he 
 notified l)y the <rovernor hy Proclamation in the (Jazette. (T. 25 as modified 
 in M. 3." N. 13.) 
 
 18. Prorogation (iiiil iliNsuhttidii of fjfgislative Coioirll (did Lcijistuliir Assrnihlt/. 
 (1) The (governor may from time to time prorogue tiie Lej.;iHlatnre hy Pioelama- 
 tion, which sliall he |)ulilisli(<d in the (tazt^tte, and may in like manner, whenever 
 he shall think lit, dis.solve the Leiiislative Council and the Legislative Asscmhly 
 sinuiltiineously. or the Le^ishitivi^ Assembly alone. 
 
 (2) Tho Governor shall dissolve the liefi;islat ive Council and the iiCj^islat ive 
 Assembly at the expirat i<in of live years from t he dale of the (irst meetiii)^ t hereof. 
 (T. 26 as modified in M. 4. N. 13 and 25.) 
 
 I!). Oorenim- ni'ii/ Irdnsmit fiills In Ln/Lsldliire. 'V\h' (!o\criior may transmit 
 by Mcssajie to the Lejiislafive ('onncil and the JjC^dslat ive Assembly the draft 
 of any Bill which it nuiy appear to him desirable to int loduee, and all such drafts 
 shall bo taken into consideration by the said Council anil Assembly, as thr) 
 oaso may bo, in such convenient manner as shall be jirovided in that behalf by 
 Rules of Procedure. (T. 27. N, 26.) 
 
 20. Oath to he taken bi/ Members of Legislature.- -(\) Kvery Member of tin 
 Legislative ('oimcil and Lej;islative Assembly shall, before being permitted t(» .njI 
 or vote therein, take and subsc^ribe the following oath l)efore the President or 
 Speaker resjicctively, oi' before such ])erson as nuiy be a])pointed thereto by the 
 Governor should such oath be nvpiired to be taken b(>fore tlu^ ajjpoint ment or 
 election of a President or Spt^akei' as the (^ase may be : 
 
 "I, A.B., do swear that f will be faithful and bear true allegiance to liis 
 Majesty King George the Fifth, his heirs and successors, according to Law, 
 So help mo God." 
 
 (2) Provided (hat any person authorized by law to make a solemn a llirmal ion 
 or declaration instead of taking an oath, may nuike such allirmation or declara- 
 tion in lieu of sueh oath. (T. 28. N. 27.) 
 
 2L Questions to lie (tcriileil hij luKJoriti/ <f votes. Subj(H't. to the pro\'isions 
 contained in Section 2(5 of these Our Letters Patent, all (pu'stions in the Legis- 
 lativ<! Council or jjcgislalivc Assembly shall be deteiniined by a. majoi'ity of (he 
 votes of Members preseni, othci than the President. S|)caker, or presiding Member, 
 who shall, however, have and exercise a (listing vote in case of an e(piality of 
 votes. (T. 29 as modified in M. 28. N. 31.) 
 
 22. Meniln'.r's seat v'// LegisJatKre. how vacated. M any Mendicr of the Legis- 
 hitivo Council or JiCgislative Assembly (T. 30 as modified in M. 32. N. 32 
 and 38)— 
 
 (1) Shall be absent, except on the ground of illness, from the sittings of t he 
 
 |jcgislativ<i (!ouncil or the l\iegislativ(< .\ssembly, as tlu^ case may be, 
 for a period of one month duritig any s(^ssion without th(5 leave of 
 the- fjcgislativc) (Council or th(i Legislative; .Vssembly, as the ease may 
 be ; or 
 
 (2) Shall have any direct or indirect pecuniary intcresl in any conlract 
 
 with the- Government of tlie Colony for (jr on account of the public 
 service otherwise than as a member and in (U)nnnon with the other 
 members of an incorporated com])aiiy consist ing of more than twenty 
 live persons (N. 33. M. 32 (2)) ; or 
 (."{) Shall take any oath, or make any declaration or acknowh-dgment of 
 allegiance, obedience, or adherence to any foreign State or Power; 
 or
 
 12 
 
 (4) Shall do, concur in, or adojit any act whereby he may become the subject 
 
 or citizen of any such IState or PoAvcr ; or 
 
 (5) Shall become an irisolvent or take advantage of any Law for the relief 
 
 of insolvent debtors ; or 
 (G) Shall be attainted of treason, or be sentenced to imprisonment without 
 the option of a fine for a term of not less than twelve months ; or 
 
 (7) Shall become of unsound mind ; or 
 
 (8) Shall accept any office of profit under the Crown other than that of a 
 
 Minister, or that of an officer of Our naval and military forces on 
 
 retired or half-paj^ ; 
 his seat shall become vacant, and if any person under any of the disqualifications 
 herein mentioned shall, whilst so disqualified, knowingly sit or vote as a Member 
 of the said Council or Assembly, such person shall forfeit the sum of one hundred 
 pounds, to be recovered by the Attorney-General for the benefit of the Treasury 
 by action in the High Court ; 
 
 Bavinrj of pe7isioners. — Pro\ ided that a person in receipt of pension from the 
 Crown shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit under the Crown within 
 the meaning of this section. 
 
 23. Standing Rules and Orders. — (1) The Legislative Council and Legislative 
 Assembly in their first Session, and from time to time aftenvards as there shall 
 be occasion, shall each adof)t Standing Rules and Orders, joint as well as other- 
 wise, for the regulation and orderly conduct of their proceedings and the despatch 
 of business, and for the order in which the said Council and Assembly shall confer, 
 correspond, and communicate with each other, and for the passing, intituling, 
 and numbering of Bills, and for the presentation of the same to the Governor 
 for Our assent. 
 
 (2) All such Rules and Orders shall by the said Council and Assembly res- 
 pectively be laid before the Governor in Council, and being by him approved 
 shall become binding and of force : 
 
 (3) Provided that the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Council 
 as now subsisting shall, until altered, added to, or amended, be the Standing 
 Rules and Orders of the Legislative Council and of the Legislative Assembly. 
 (T. 31. N. 39.) 
 
 24. Officers of Legislature. — The salary of the President of the Legislative 
 Council and of the .Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall be such as may be 
 prescribed by any Law of the Colony ; and the Chief Clerk for the time being 
 of the Legislative Council and of the Legislative Assembly shall respectively 
 be removable from office only in accordance with a vote of the House of which 
 he is an officer. (T. 32. N. 40.) 
 
 25. Privileges, <i;c., of Members. — (1) It shall be lawful for the Legislature of 
 the Colonj?^ by any Law to define the privileges, immunities, and powers to be 
 held, enjoyed, and exercised by the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, 
 and bj'^ the Members thereof respectively : 
 
 Provided tliat no such privileges, immunities, or powers shall exceed those 
 for the time being held, enjoyed, and exercised by the Commons House of Parlia- 
 ment of Our United Kingdom, or the Members thereof. (T. 33. N. 42.) 
 
 (2) L'ntil the Legislature shall so define the privileges, immunities, and powers 
 of its Members those which are now held, enjoyed, and exercised by the Members 
 of the subsisting Legislative Council shall be held, enjoyed and exercised by the 
 Members of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. (M. 39 (2).) 
 
 Legislation. 
 
 2C. Poiver to make Laws. — (1) It shall be lawful for Us and Our successors, 
 by and with the advice and consent of the Legislature, subject to the provisions 
 of these Our Letters Patent, to make all Laws, to be entitled " Acts," which 
 shall be required for the peace, order, and good government of the Colony 
 (T. 36. (1) N. 5.): 
 
 (2) A Law passed by the Legislature may repeal or alter any of the provisions 
 of these Our Letters Patent, save those contained in this section, and those 
 contained in Section 28 (relating to the reservation of Bills), Sections 39-47 
 (relating to Native Administration), Section 48 (relating to the Crown Land
 
 13 
 
 Agent), and Section 55 (relating to the Salary of the Ciovernor), and may like- 
 wise repeal oi- alter any of tiie provisions of any Order in Oiw I^iivy Conneil 
 extending to Southern Rhodesia other than piovisioiiH ad'i-eting any matter 
 mentioned in this sub-section : (T. 36 (2) as modified in M. 41 (6).) 
 
 Provided however that no propose 1 J^aw for the eonstiiulion of a U-gisla(ive 
 Council in pursuance of Section 2 of these Our i^etters I'atent sliall i ejical or altt v 
 any of the provisions relating to the J^egislativc Council contained in these Our 
 Letters Patent, and such provisions shall not be repealed oi' altered save by a 
 Law passed by both Houses of the Legislature, after the constitution of a I^'gis- 
 lative Council as aforesaid : (New.) 
 
 Provided further that no proposed Law for the repeal or alteration oi any 
 such provisions of these Our Letters Patent as may be repealed or altered by the 
 Legislature as aforesaid shall be valid unless it shall be aflirmed by not less tlian 
 two-thirds of the total number of Members of each House of the Legislature, or, 
 pending the constitution of a Legislative Council, of the Legislative Assembly, 
 (c/. M. 41 (6) proviso.) 
 
 (3) Any Law made in contravention of the limitations imposed by Sub- 
 section 2 of this section shall to the extent of such contravention but not o1 hcr- 
 wise be and remain absolutely void and inoperative. (M. 41 (2).) 
 
 27. Presentation of Laws for Governor'' s assen' . — When any Law has ij. en pas:-cd 
 by the Legislature it shall be presented for Our assent to the Governor, who shall 
 declare according to his discretion, but subject to this Constitution and any 
 instructions in that behalf given him, under Our Sign Manual and Signet, or 
 through a Secretary ot State, that he assents in Our name, or that he withholds 
 assent, or that he reserves the Law for the signification of Our pleasure. (T. 38. 
 N. 6.) 
 
 28. Description of Bills to he reszrved. — Unless he shall have previously 
 obtained Our instructions upon such Law through a Secretary of State, or unless 
 such Law shall contain a clause suspending the operation thereof until the 
 signification in the Colonj^ of Our pleasure thereupon, the Governor sluill 
 reserve: — (T, 39.) 
 
 {a) Any Law, save in respect of the supply of arms, ammunition, or li([Uor 
 to natives, whereby natives may be subjected or made liable to any 
 conditions, disabilities or restrictions to which persons of European 
 descent are not also subjected or made liable. 
 
 ifj) Any Law which may repeal alter or amend, or is in any way rejnignant 
 to or inconsistent with such provisions of these Our Letters Patent, 
 as may under these Our Letters Patent be repealed or altered by the 
 Legislature, (c/. M. 48 (c).) 
 
 (c) Any Law constituting the Legislative Council passed in pursuance of 
 Section 2 of these Our Letters Patent. (New.) 
 
 {d) Any Law altering or amending the arrangements relating to the collec- 
 tion and allocation of mining revenues in force at the commencement 
 of these Our Letters Patent under any existing Law of the Colony or 
 otherwise, or any Law imposing any special rate tax or duty on 
 minerals in or under land within the Colon3^ (N'ew.) 
 
 (e) Until legislation shall have come into force in Southern Rhodesia ado])!- 
 ing, so far as may be applicable, the provisions of the law in force 
 in Our United Kingdom relating to the Railway and Canal Commis- 
 sioners and to the Rates Tribunal provided for by the Railways Act, 
 1921, any law dealing with railways witliin the Colony. (New.) 
 
 29. Return of Bills by Governor to the Legislature. — ^The Governor may retuin 
 to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly any proposed Law so pre- 
 sented to him, and may transmit therewith any amendments ^\llieh he may 
 recommend, and the Legislative (!oimcil and Legislative Assembly may deal 
 with the recommendation. (T. 40.) 
 
 30. Assent to Laws and time from which they take effect. — No Law passed by 
 the Legislature shall take effect until either the Governor shall have assented 
 thereto in Our name and on Our behalf, and shall have signed the same in token 
 of such assent, or until We shall have given Our assent thereto by Our Order in 
 Our Privy Council. (M. 46 ) 
 
 (B 3/289) A 4
 
 14 
 
 31. Disallowance by the King.— It shall be lawful for Us, Our heirs, and suc- 
 cessors, to disallow any Law within §one year from the date of tlie Governor's 
 assent thereto, and such disallowance, on being made known by the Governor 
 by Speech or Message to the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly, 
 or by Proclamation in the Gazette, shall annul the Law from the day when the 
 disallowance is so made known. (T. 41. N. 7.) (§c/". M. 47.) 
 
 32. Signijication of King' s pleasure mi Bills reserved. — A proposed Law reserved 
 for Our pleasure shall not have any force unless and until, within §one year from 
 the day on which it was presented to the Governor for Our assent, the Governor 
 makes' known, by Speech or Message to the Legislative Council and the Legis- 
 lative Assembly, or by Proclamation in the Gazette, that it has received Our 
 assent. (T. 42.) (§c/. M. 49.) 
 
 33. Record to be made of King's assent to Bills reserved. — Whenever any Law 
 has been reserved for the signification of Our pleasure thereon, and the Governor 
 shall signify, either by Speech or Message to the Legislature or by Proclamation 
 in the Gazette, that such Law has been laid before Us in Our Privy Council, and 
 that We have been pleased to assent to the same, an entiy shall be made in the 
 journals of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of every such 
 Speech, Message or Proclamation, and a duplicate thereof duly attested shall 
 be delivered to the proper officer, to be kept amongst the records of the Colony. 
 (T. 43.) 
 
 34. Laws to be j^rinted in Gazette. — ^The Governor shall cause every Law to 
 which he shall have assented in Our name or to which We shall have given Our 
 assent as aforesaid to be printed in the Gazette for general information. (T. 44 
 as modified in M. 51.) 
 
 35. Copies of Laws to be enrolled. — As soon as may be after any Law shall have 
 been assented to in Our name by the Governor or, having been reserved for the 
 signification of Our pleasure. Our assent thereto shall, in the manner aforesaid, 
 have been signified by the Governor, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly shall 
 cause a fair copy of such Law signed by the Governor to be enrolled on record 
 in the office of the Registrar of the High Court, and such copy shall be conclusive 
 evidence as to the provisions of every such Law : provided, however, that the 
 vahdity of any such Law shall not depend upon the enrolment thereof. (T. 45.) 
 
 36. Disallowance to be notified in Gazette and certificates of disalloioance to be 
 enrolled. — Whenever any Law assented to by the Governor in Our name as afore- 
 said has been disallowed by Us, the Governor shall cause notice of such disallow- 
 ance to be published in the Gazette and a certificate of such disallowance, certi- 
 fied under the Public Seal of the Colony, to be enrolled in the office of the Registrar 
 of the High Court. (T. 46 as modified in M. 53.) 
 
 The Ministry. 
 
 37. Ministers. — (1) The Governor may appoint such officers as he thinks 
 fit, not exceeding six in number, to be Ministers, one of whom he shall designate 
 as Head of fie Ministry, who shall be styled the Premier, and may assign to each 
 Minister the Headshii) of such Dej)artment or Departments as he shall think 
 fit. 
 
 (2) Appointments to the office of Minister shall be made by the Governor in 
 Our name, and such offices shall be held during Our pleasure. 
 
 (3) After the first general electiuc of Members of the Legislative Assembly 
 no Minister shall hold office foi a longer period than four months unless he is or 
 becomes a Member of either House of the Legislature. 
 
 (4) No Minister shall vacate his seat in the Legislative Council or Legislative 
 Assembly by reason of his appointment to or retention of an office in the Ministry. 
 
 (.5) Every Minister shall have the right to sit and speak both in the Legis- 
 lative Council and Legislative Assembly, but shall vote only in the House of which 
 he is a Member. (T. 47 as m.odified in M. 54.) (c/. South Africa Act, 
 1909, Sec. 14.)
 
 / 
 
 15 
 
 .It rxiKs. 
 
 38. Judr]rii n/ij>ninh)i( I'K trnvrr and rrwwwcm/io/;.- Tlu- Jiulfzi-.s df (Ik llij^li 
 Court — 
 
 (1) Sluill he apiiuiiiti'd l)y tlic CioNcinur in CuuiKil ; 
 
 (2) Shall not be rciiiovod c-xccpt by the (governor in C'ouiuil on an Addirss 
 
 from the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly in the same 
 Session piaying for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour 
 or incapacity ; 
 
 (3) Shall receive such remuneration as shall from time to time be jtreserilnd 
 
 by Law, but the rcmunerati(m of a Judge shall not be diminished 
 during his tenure of oiHce, and the remuneration of the presenl Judges 
 shall not be diminished, and their commissions shall continue as 
 heretofore. (T. 48.) 
 
 Native Administkatiox. 
 
 39. Nali ve Den c irl tt t r ut rt uJ ilj i j in fiii'iii i T rf ; f i r , rf'rfjnvn \ f fM , j ,i i rhffi' — 
 (1) There shall be a Native Department, the permanent head of whicli sludl l»e 
 appointed by the Governor in Council with the approval of the High Commi.s- 
 sioner, and all Chief Native Commissioners, Superintendents of Natives, Native 
 Commissioners and Assistant Native Commissioners, or any oflicers ajjpointed 
 to exercise the functions now exercised by the aforesaid officers or any of them 
 shall be appointed in the like manner and subject to the like api)rovaI, and the 
 said officers shall continue to perforin the duties at present assignerl to t hem subject 
 to any alterations or additions which the Governor in Council may from time to 
 time, with the apjiroval of the High Commissioner, prescribe by notice in the 
 Gazette, (cf. S.R. 79 (1).) 
 
 (2) The salaries of the officers mentioned in the preceding sub-section shall 
 be fixed bj^ the Governor in Council with the appioval of the High Commissioner, 
 and shall not be increased or diminished \\ithout his approval. (S.R. 79 (2) 
 and 71 (2).) 
 
 (3) The officers mentioned in this section may at any time be removed fiom 
 office by the Governor in Council, with the approval of the High Commissioner, 
 but not otherwise. (S.R. 72.) 
 
 40. Suspension and removal of officers of Native Deparltnenl. — ( 1 ) The Governor 
 in Council maj% and if so requested by the High Commissioner shall, susjiend 
 any of the officers referred to in the last preceding section foi- misconduct ; but 
 shall fiist cause him to be furnished with a written statement of the acts of mis- 
 conduct alleged against him, and cause iiim to be called on to state in writing 
 by a given day (which shall allow a reasonable interval) any grounds upon which 
 he relies to exculpate himself. 
 
 (2) If the suspension takes place, the Governoi- shall forthwith transmit a 
 full report of the matter, and the proofs of the alleged misconduct to the High 
 Commissioner, who maj' confirm or disallow the suspension. 
 
 (3) H the suspension is confirmed, the suspended officer is 'thereby lemoved 
 from office ; if it is disallowed, the suspended officer is thereby restored to office, 
 and is entitled to any salary that has been withheld during his susi^cnsion. 
 
 (4) If the High Commissioner is of opinion that the officer deserves punish- 
 ment, but not the extreme ])enalty of removal from office, he may. instead of 
 disallowing the suspension, direct that the officer Vjc restored to office, but be 
 required to serve at a i educed salaiy, either permanently or for a stated jieriod : 
 or that a specific sum be deducted from any salary due or to become due to 
 the officer; or that he be transferred to a lower ofKce. (S.R. 75.) 
 
 41. Restrictive Regulations, etc., as regards natives. — Njj..(iin(lititmhi (lisiliiliti( .-^ 
 or restri ctions which do not e qually apply to persons of European descent sliall, 
 witE ourtlie previo u s consent ot the Hig li L'onnnissioner, be impo scdLujJOujgR-i ves 
 (sa ve in respect nf t hejin pply of fljaM%-H,»>TnTrhTtTrm an<l nqTior^. b"v any Proclama- 
 tion j_ReguljiliQi]L-mLXdii£iJiistiTi^^ I>n «'. 
 unless such conditions, disabilities, or restriction s shall have bcen_i:xplicitly 
 prescri jjed. defined and lin iit<^d '" Hue.h ^s\^x — {cf. S.R. 80.)
 
 42. N^ 
 
 16 
 
 VfUin: Rc irrvr-i. — TIk' SoiitluTn Rl iodcsia Onlui' i n CouTu-il, 1020, wliere by^ 
 the lands kiimv i' '^•^ t'^*^' ^'ttivo ll e st ives were ves ic a in the Hi^li Uomm isgloner j 
 andstX apart tor tlie sole and exclusive use of the native inliabitants of Southern 
 Rhodesia, shall continue in full for eeand^flcGt as if it formed ][iart of these Our 
 Leltei-i^ Patent, and no portion of the land comprised within the said. Reserves 
 shall be alienatedexcejrtXQr-the purposes fHithorized by the sa4d Oi'der .-and then 
 only in exchange for other^urtablejaad. (New. See Report § 64 (3).) 
 
 43. Acqui sition of land bu natives.— A native may acquire , hold, encumber and 
 dispose of land on the sa me conditions as a pejtson who is not a native, but no 
 contract tor encumbering or alienating land the property of a native shall be 
 valT(T^ unless ttie contract is made in the presence of a Magistrate, is attested by 
 him, and bears a certificate signed by him stating that the consideration for 
 the contract is fair and reasonable, and that he has satisfied himself that the 
 native understands the transaction. (S.R. 83.) 
 
 44. Information as to native affairs to be given to High Commissioner. — The 
 Crov^ernor shall furnish to the High Commissioner any information relating to 
 native affairs which the High Commissioner may request. (New.) 
 
 45. Reference of questions relating to natives to a Jwlge. — The Governor in Council 
 shall, if so requested by the High Commissioner, refer any question relating to 
 natives for report to any Judge of the High Court, and the Judge shall theieupon 
 make such enquiry as he thinks fit, and shall report to the Governor in Council 
 the result of such enquiry. The Governor shall transmit sucIt report to the 
 High Commissioner with a statement of the action which the Governor in Council 
 proposes to take in the matter. (S.R. 86.) 
 
 46. Offences by chiefs or tribes. — T;i pa<jp nf n. T■(.^ nit against the Govermnent, 
 or ijthgjLniiiicondttet ppnimittpd by q "'^tiv" ^hi"f "r trib", th" C"vi'n"r '" <^'nv r"^''\ 
 ma3% with the gppi-mral pf tliP TTiffl^ nnn-imicci'nnt^r^ jpi pose a re asmia.bUa- fine 
 up mi the offend er^ (S.R. 88.) 
 
 47. Native Councils. — (1) It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, subject 
 to the approval of the High Commissioner, at any time after the commencement 
 
 • of these Our Letters Patent, to establish by Proclamation in any Native Resei-ve 
 or Reserves such Council or Councils of indigenous natives representative of 
 the local chiefs and other native residents as may seem to him expedient, for the 
 discussion from time to time of any matters upon which, as being of direct interest 
 or concern to the native population generally or to any portion thereof, he may 
 desire to ascertain, or they may desire to submit, their views ; and, subject to 
 the like approval, to make regulations for the constitution of such Council or 
 Councils, for the appointment of the places and times of meeting, for the manner 
 of conducting the proceedings, and for all other matters incidental or properly 
 appertaining to the establishment and periodical meetings of such Council or 
 Councils, including, if he think fit, the occasional or regular meeting of any two 
 or greater number of such Councils in joint session. 
 
 (2) It shall also be lawful for the Governor in Council, subject to the like 
 approval, to make regulations conferring on any such Council such powers of 
 management in connection with local matters affecting the indigenous natives 
 as can in his opinion be safely and satisfactorily undertaken by them, and by 
 such regulations or by any subsequent regulations to make all such provisions 
 as may bo necessary in order to give effect to such powers. (New, cf. Union of 
 South Africa Act, 23 of 1920.) 
 
 Crown Lajtd Agent. 
 
 48. Appointment, etc., of Croim Land Agent.~{l) The Secretary of State shall 
 appoint an officer who shall be called the Crown Land Agent and shall fix the 
 amount of his salary and of the salaries of any persons employed under him for 
 the purposes of this section. The Crown Land^ Agent shall "be assisted by an 
 Advisory Board consisting of such persons as the Secretary of State shall appoint 
 to represent the various interests concerned in the disposal of and revenue pro- 
 duced by all rights and interests in lands within the Colony to which this section.
 
 17 
 
 relatrs. The said Board shall tonsidci- and advise ii|miii ail mailers which may 
 be referred to it by the Crown Ijaiid Aszeiit, but the deeision of all such matters 
 shall be vested exchisively in the Crown l^nd Agent. 
 
 (2) Rights of British South Africa Conqxtinj in relation to lauds aliiiiutcd Ixforc 
 coinmencement of Letters Patent transferred to Crown Land Afjent. — All rights of 
 the British South ^\friea Company in or in relation to any lands within the Colony 
 which shall, before the commencement or these Our Letters Patent, have been 
 alienated by the Company, whether by grant or by permit of oceuj)ation oi- h}' 
 lease giving option of purchase or by any other instrument whatsoevei-, but for 
 which full payment shall not have been made by the purchaser, shall, save and 
 except any rights reserved by any such instiainient to the Company with regard 
 to minerals, vest in the Crown Land Agent, and he shall have the right to receive 
 in Our name and on Our behalf all purchase money remaining unjjaid, all rents 
 of any description payable, and all interest on mortgage-bonds held 1)3' the 
 Company as security for unpaid purchase money, in respect of any such lands, 
 and all other re\'enue whatsoever that may be derived therefrom, and it shall 
 be lawful for him to exercise- and perform in Our name and in Our behalf all such 
 powers and functions with regard to such lands and the instruments relating 
 thereto as might have been exercised and performed by the Company if these 
 Our Letters Patent had not been made. 
 
 (3) Unalienated lands vested in Crown Land Agent for sale or other disjiositicn. 
 — All lands and rights or interests in any lands within the Colony other than the 
 Native Reserves which, at the commencement of these Our Letteis Patent, arc 
 unalienated and any lands and rights or interests in any lands reverting to Us 
 under any instrument referred to in the preceding sub-section shall vest in the 
 Crown Land Agent on tiust to hold the same, and any revenues accruing there- 
 from, in Our name and on Our behalf subject to the rights of the Comi)any 
 therein with regard to minerals, and it shall be lawful for him, so long as any 
 part of the debt due to the Company on account of its administiative deficit 
 remains unpaid, from time to time to sell or otherwise dispose of so much thereof 
 as may be practicable at such prices as may in all the circumstances be, in his 
 opinion, fair and reasonable, and on any such terms and conditions and subject 
 to any such reservations in the public interest or in the interest of natives estab- 
 lished thereon, as have heretofore been found suitable, and, subject to a due 
 regard for the public interest, he shall use all reasonable despatch in so selling 
 or disposing of such lands. 
 
 (4) Exemption from rates and taxes. — It shall not be lawful for the J^egislati\e 
 Assembly to pass any law, vote or resolution imposing oi' authoiisijig any rate, 
 tax, or duty on any unalienated lands or on any revenues to m hich this section 
 applies, so long as the said section shall continue in operation. 
 
 (5) Disposal of revenue from land by Crmni Land Agent. — The Crow i\ Land 
 Agent shall pay all revenue accruing under this section in i'cs))cct of lands 
 within the Colony into an account to be called the Crown Lands Account, and 
 shall thereout first pay all expenses incinred in connection v\ ith the \\()iking of 
 his office, including all salaries referred to in sub-section (1) of this section, antl 
 with the management and administration of lands alicnaled before the commence- 
 ment of these Our Letters Patent and the collection of any such revenue as afore- 
 said, and with the sale or disposal of any lands hereafter to be sold or dis|)()sed 
 of as aforesaid, and shall pay over the l)alancc standing to the credit of the 
 said Account at the end of each quarter to the Company. 
 
 (6) Lands remaining unalienated after debt to Company is paid vested in the 
 Governor. — When the Secretary of State shall have certified bj' notice published 
 in the London Gazette that the said debt due to the Company has been extin- 
 guished this section shall cease to have any force or eft'ect, and thereafter all 
 rights, interests and revenues to Us belonging or acciuing in respect of lands 
 within the Colony, other than the Native Reserves, shall vest in the (iovernor. 
 (New.)
 
 18 
 
 Genei'vAL Provisions. 
 <ig.—Cnusolifi/tlrd Revenue Fund. — All taxes, imposts, rates and duties, and 
 all tcrritoiial, easual and other revenues of the C'rown from whatever source 
 aiising within tlie Colony over which the Legislative C-ouncil and Legislative 
 Assembly have power of appropriation, shall form one Consolidated Revenue 
 Fund to'be appropriated to the Public Service of the Colony in the manner and 
 subject to the charges hereinafter mentioned. (T.53. N.46.) 
 
 50. Costs nf collection and manmjement of Fund.—{ 1 ) The Consolidated Ptcvenue 
 Fund shall be permanently charged with all the costs, charges and expenses 
 incident to the collection, management and receipt thereof. 
 
 (2) All such costs, charges and expenses shall be subject to be reviewed and 
 audited in such manner as may from time to time be directed by any Law passed 
 by the Legislature. (T. 54. N. 47.) 
 
 5L Repayment of any monies provided by the Treasury for 2Myment of com- 
 2jensation to the British Smith Africa Cmnjjamj in respect of pmhlic works and 
 buildings. — In the event of any monies being provided by the Lords Commissioners 
 of Our Treasury for the payment of compensation to the British South Africa 
 Company in respect of any buildings or works belonging to the Company and 
 used exclusivel}' or mainly for administrative or pubHc purposes which may be 
 taken over by fs in accordance with the provisions of Clause 33 of the said 
 Company's Charter of Incorporation, dated the 29th day of October, 1889, for 
 the public purposes of the Colony after the commencement of these Our Letters 
 Patent, the Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be charged with all such monies, 
 togethei' with interest thereon, at a rate to be fixed by the said Lords Com- 
 missioners of Our Treasury, and all such monies and interest as aforesaid shall 
 be fully paid and discharged not later than the expiration of twelve months 
 from the commencement of these Our Letters Patent. (New.) 
 
 52. Appropriation and Taxatio^i Bills to originate in the Legislative Assembly — 
 All Bills for appropriating any part of the Consolidated Revenue Fund or for 
 imposing, altering, or repealing any rate, tax, duty, or impost, shall originate 
 in the Legislative Assembly. (T. 55. N. 48.) 
 
 53. Powers of Legislative Council tJieremi. — The Legislative Council may not 
 alter any Money Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly, but may return to the 
 Legislative Assembly any such Bill and may transmit therewith any amendments 
 which they I'ecommehd, and the Legislative Assembly shall consider and deal 
 with such recommendation, and thereafter the Legislative Council may either 
 accept or reject such Bill but may not alter it. (T. 56 as modified in M. 61. 
 N.49.) 
 
 54. Manner in which the Public Revenue shall be appro2mated to the Public 
 Service. — (1) It shall not be lawful for the Legislative Assembly to pass any 
 Law, vote, or resolution which shall have the effect of appropriating any part 
 of the Consolidated Revenue Fund or of imposing, altering, or repealing any 
 rate, tax, or duty unless such Law, vote, or resolution has been first recommended 
 to the Assembly by Message of the Clovernor during the session in which it is 
 proposed. 
 
 (2) Xo part of the Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be issued except in 
 pursuance of a Warrant under the hand of the Governor directed to the Treasurer. 
 
 55. Salary of Governor. — ^(1) There shall be payable to Us, in every year, 
 out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, for the salary of the Governor the sum of 
 four thousand pounds. (South Africa Act, 1909, sec. 10.) 
 
 (2) The salary of the Governor shall not be altered during his continuance 
 in office. (T. 57 as modified in M. 62. N. 50 and 51.) 
 
 56. Puhlic officers appointmetit and removal, etc. — All persons in the Public 
 Service of Southern Rhodesia at the commencement of these Our Letters Patent 
 shall become public officers of the Colony, and the appointment to, and removal 
 from, all public offices under the Government of the Colony hereafter to become
 
 10 
 
 vacant or to be created, save tliose of Ministers and Olliccrs of the Native Depni t - 
 nient mentioned in Section 39 of these Our Letters Patent, shall, subject to any 
 Law hereafter in force in the Colony, be vested in the Ciinenior in Council : 
 Provided that no public oflicei' in the Colony who shall have been appointed to 
 his office before tlie date of the coniniencenient of these Our Letters Patent 
 shall be removed from his office or have his emoluments reduced save in acct)rdance 
 with the Law, regulations or conditions governing his services at the date of these 
 Our Letters Patent. (T. 59 as modified in M. 64. N. 53 and 54.) 
 
 57. Pensions and Gratuities. — (1) All ])ensions and gratuities which have been 
 granted to persons who have retired from the Public Service of Southern 
 Rhodesia before the date of the commencement of these Our Letters Patent 
 shall be governed by the Law or rules under which they were granted. 
 
 (2) A public officer who shall have been appointed to his office in Southern 
 Rhodesia before the date of the commencement of these Oui- T^etters Patent 
 shall be entitled to have his claim to pension or giatuity governed by the Law or 
 rules whicli now regulate the grant of j)ensions and gratuities in Southern 
 Rhodesia, unless he shall be entitled under any Law or rules \\liich may hereafter 
 be substituted foi- the same, to exeicise an option to have his said claim governed 
 by such substituted Law or rules, and duly exercises the said option. 
 
 (3) All pensions and gratuities which have been or may be hereafter granted 
 in accordance with the Law or rules which at the date of such grant regulated or 
 regulate the grant of pensions and gratuities in Southern Rhodesia, to persons 
 who have retired or shall retire from the Public Service of Southern Rhodesia, 
 or whose offices in Southern Rhodesia have been or shall be abolished, shall be 
 charged upon and paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (M. 65.) 
 
 58. Powers of High Commissioner. — From and after the commencement of 
 these Our Letters Patent the High Commissioner shall exercise only such power, 
 jurisdiction, or authority within the Colony as may be granted or reserved to 
 him by these Our Letters Patent. (New.) 
 
 59. Powers of Admimstrator, how to he exercised. — (1) Where, under any Law 
 of the Colony, any powei', jurisdiction or authority is at the commencement of 
 these Our Letters Patent exercised by the Administiator, such ])ower, jui'is- 
 diction or authority shall be exercised by the Goveiiior in Council, and where, 
 under any such Law, any power, jurisdiction oi' authoiity has 1>een conferi-ed on 
 any Member of the existing Executive Council of Southern Rhodesia, such power, 
 jurisdiction or authority shall be exercised by the Minister to whom it shall be 
 assigned by the Governor in Council. (T. 61 (1).) 
 
 (2) Meaning of " Legislative Council '" in existing Laivs. — Wheie in any existing 
 Law the words " Legislative Council " occur, they shall, unless the context other- 
 wise indicates, and save in so far as the Law or any pi-ovision thereof deals with 
 any matter mentioned in Section 20 (2) of these Our Letteis Patent, be lead as 
 if they were " Legislative (,'ouncil and Legislative Assembly." (T. 61 (2) as 
 modified in M . 66 (4) . N . 41 .) 
 
 60. Power to amend by Prodaination. — The Govei-nor may, by Proclamation 
 in the Gazette, at any time within one year from the date of the commencement 
 of these Our Letters Patent, and provided that Our approval be j)reviou8ly 
 signified to him through a Secretaiy of State, vary, annul, or add to any of the 
 provisions of these Oin- Letters Patent in order to carry out the ])ur])oses of the 
 same, and may provide foi' any other mattei- necessary in oidei- to carry into 
 effect the provisions thereof. (T. 62 as modified in M. 67.) 
 
 6L Power reserved to His Majesiij to revoke, alter or amend certain sections of 
 tlie present Letters Patent. — AVe do hereby reserve to Ourselves, Our heii-s anil 
 successois, full powei' and authority from time to time to levoke, alter or amend 
 Sections 20, 28, 39-48 and 55 of these Our Letters Patent as to L's or Them shall 
 seem meet. (M. 68.) "*
 
 20 
 
 62. D''Jiniliom. — In these Our Letters Patent, unless the contrary intention 
 appears (T. 63. M. 69.)— 
 
 " Existing Electoral Laws " means such provisions of any Proclamations 
 issued by the High Commissioner and of any Ordinances passed by 
 the subsisting Legislative Council as, being in force at the date of 
 the commencement of these Our Letters Patent, shall regulate the 
 qualification and disqualification of persons as voters or candidates 
 for the subsisting Legislative Council, the constitution of electoral 
 districts, the registration of voters, the preparation of lists of voters, 
 the nomination of candidates, corrupt and illegal practices, the 
 conduct of elections, the hearing of election petitions and all other 
 matters connected with the election of Members of the subsisting 
 Legislative Council. (New.) 
 
 " Gazette " means the Official (iazette of Southern Rhodesia. 
 
 " Governor " means the Officer for the time being Administering the Govern- 
 ment of the Colony. 
 
 " Governor in Council " means the Governor acting by and with the advice 
 of the Executive Council. 
 
 " High Commissioner " means Our High Commissioner for the time being 
 for South Africa. 
 
 " Month " means calendar month. 
 
 " Legislative Council " means any Legislative Council wliich may hereafter 
 be constituted by any Law passed in pursuance of Section 2 of these 
 Our Letters Patent. (New.) 
 
 " President " means the Member of such Legislative Council who shall be 
 appointed or elected under the provisions of such Law to preside at 
 the meetings of the said Council. (New.) 
 
 " Speaker " includes Deputy Speaker. 
 
 " Secretary of State " means one of Our Principal Secretaries of State. 
 
 6.3. Commencement of Letters Patent. — (1) These Our Letters Patent shall 
 commence and come into operation on a day to be fixed by the High Com- 
 missioner by Proclamation in the Gazette and thereafter shall be proclaimed at 
 such place or places within the Colony as the Governor shall think fit. (T. 64). 
 
 (2) Existing Law, etc., to contimie in force save as reinignant to the present Letters 
 Patent, — All Charters, Orders in Council, Ordinances, Proclamations and I-aws 
 which at the date of the commencement of these Our Letters Patent are in force 
 within the Colony shall, until duly repealed or varied, continue to be of the same 
 force, authority and effect as if these Our Letters Patent had not been made, 
 except in so far as the same are repugnant to these Our Letters Patent, in which 
 case they are to that extent hereby amended and repealed. (N. 4.) 
 
 64. Short Title. — These Our Letters Patent may be cited as " The Southern 
 P^hodesia Constitution Letters Patent, 192 ." (T. 65.) 
 
 In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. 
 Witness Ourself at Westminster this day of in the 
 
 Year of Our Ileign. 
 
 By Warrant under the King's Sign Manual.
 
 21 
 
 ENCLOSURE No. III. 
 
 PFvAFT. 
 
 SOUTHERX IIHODESIA. 
 
 Lettkrs Patent passed undci' tlio Gioat Seal of tlio I'nitod Kingdom const it iifinfi 
 
 tho Ollico of Governor. 
 
 WHEREAS by Lettci.s Patent bearing even date lu'iowith and entitled the 
 Southern Rhodesia Constitution Letters Patent 192 , jtiovision lias been made 
 for tlie constitution of Res]ionsible (Jovernment in Oui' Colony of Soutliern 
 Rhodo^sia : 
 
 And whereas We are minded to make provision for the constitution of tlit 
 office of Governor and Commander-in-(Jhief of Our said Colony : 
 
 NOW know Ye that We do declare Our will and pleasure to be as follows : — 
 
 1. Appointment of Governor. — There shall be a Governor and Commander-in- 
 (;!hief in and (xver Our Colony of Southern Rhodesia, and ap]iointments to the said 
 Office shall be made by Commission under Our Sign Manual and Signet. 
 
 2. Governor's powers and authorities. — We do herebj' authorise, empower and 
 command Our said Governor and Commander-in-Chief (hereinafter called the 
 Governor) to do and execute all things that belong to the said Office of Governor 
 according to the tenor of these and any other Our Letters Patent, having elTect 
 within the Colony, and of such Commission as may be issued to him undei- Our 
 Sign Manual and Signet, and according to such Instructions as may from time 
 to time be given to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet or by Our Order in 
 Our Privy Council, or by Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, 
 and to such laws as are now or shall hereafter be in force in the Colony. 
 
 3. Publication of Governor's Commission. — Every person appointed to (ill 
 the Office of Governor shall, with all due solemnity, before entering on any duties 
 of his Office, cause the Commission apjjointing him to ])e Governor to be read and 
 published in the presence of the Senior Judge of the High Court or of some other 
 Judge of the said Court, and such of the Members of the Executive Council of 
 the Colony who can conveniently attend, which being done, he shall then and 
 there take before them the Oath of Allegiance in the form provided by an Act 
 passed in the Session holden in the thirty-first and thirty-second years of the 
 reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria intituled " An Act to amend the Law 
 relating to Promissory Oaths " ; and likewise the usual Oath foi- the due execution 
 of his Office and for the due and impartial administration of justice, a\ Inch Oaths 
 the said Senior Judge or Judge is hereby required to administer. 
 
 4. Public Seal. — The Governor shall keep and use the Public Seal <>f the 
 Colony for sealing all things whatsoever that shall pass the said Seal. 
 
 5. Executive Council. — There shall be an Executive Council in and foi' the 
 Colony, and the said Council shall consist of such persons being Ministers or other 
 persons as the Governor shall, from time to time in Our name and on Our behalf, 
 but subject to any Law of the Colony, appoint under the Pul)lic Seal of the 
 Colony to be Members thereof. Subject to any such Law the Meinbeis of the 
 Executive Council shall hold office during Our pleasure; provided that the 
 Members of the Executive Council existing at the commencement of these Our 
 Letters Patent may, if the Governor thinks fit, continue to hold office initil the 
 appointment of Ministers. 
 
 6. Grant of Lands. — -The Governor may, in Our name and on Oui' behalf, 
 make and execute under the Public Seal grants and disjiositions of any lands 
 within the Colony which may be lawfully gianted or dis])osed of by Us other 
 than the lands with regard to the grant and disposition of which provision is 
 made under the Southern Rhodesia Constitution Letters Patent 192 .
 
 7. Appointment of Officers. — Subject to the Southern Rhodesia Constitution 
 Letters Patent 192 , the Governor may constitute and appoint in Our name and 
 on Our behalf all such officers in the Colony as may be lawfully constituted or 
 apj)ointed by Us. 
 
 8. Susjiension or removal from Office. — Subject to the said Letters Patent the 
 Governor may, so far as We Ourselves lawfully may, upon sufficient cause to 
 him ap])earin<i, remove from his Office, or sus))end fiom the exercise of the same, 
 any jierson holding any oHice or place within the Colony under or by virtue of 
 any Commission or Warrant or other Instrument granted, or which may be 
 granted by Us or in Oijr name or under Our autliority, or by any other mode of 
 appointment. 
 
 9. Grant of pardon. Remission of fines. Proviso. Baniishment. Exception. 
 Political Offences. — When any crime or offence has been committed within the 
 Colony, or for which the offender may be tried therein, the Governor may, as he 
 shall see occasion, in Our name and on Our behalf, grant a pardon to any 
 accomplice in such crime or offence who shall give such information as shall lead 
 to the conviction of the principal offender, or of any one of such offenders, if 
 more than one ; and further, may grant to any offender convicted of any such 
 ci'ime or offence in any Court, or before any Judge or Magistrate, within the 
 Colony, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions, or any remission of 
 the sentence passed on such offender, or any respite of the execution of such 
 sentence, for such period as he may think fit, and may remit any fines, penalties 
 or forfeitures due or accrued to Us : Provided always, that if the offender be a 
 British subject, or a British subject by naturalisation in any part of Our 
 Dominions, the Governor shall in no case, except where the offence has been of 
 a jiolitical nature unaccompanied by any other grave crime, make it a condition 
 of any pardon or remission of sentence that the offender shall be banished from 
 oi' shall absent himself or be removed from the Colony. 
 
 10. Succession to the Government in the event of the death, etc., or absence of the 
 Governor from South Africa. — In the event of the death, incajiacity, removal or 
 absence from South Africa of Our said Governor, or of his being from any cause 
 prevented from acting in the duties of his office, all and every the powers and 
 authorities granted to him shall, until Our further pleasure is signified therein, be 
 vested in such person as We may appoint under Our Sign Manual and Signet, 
 and such person shall have and exercise all such powers and authorities until 
 Our further pleasure shall be signified : Provided that no such powers or autho- 
 I'ities shall vest in such person until he shall have taken the oaths hereinbefore 
 directed to be taken by the Governor of the Colony, and in the manner herein 
 prescribed. 
 
 11. Temporary absence of the Governor. — Whenever and so often as the 
 Governor shall be temporarily absent from the Colony in pursuance of any 
 Instructions from Us through One of Our Principal Secretaries of State, or shall 
 be absent from the Colony for the purpose of visiting Our High Commissioner 
 for South Africa or the Governor-General or Officer Administering the Govern- 
 ment of Our Union of South Africa for a period not exceeding one month, then 
 and in every such case the Governor may continue to exercise all and every 
 the powers vested in him as fully as if he were residing within the Colony. 
 
 12. Governor may appoint a Deputy during his temporary absence from seat of 
 Government or from the Colony. — In the event of the Governor having occasion 
 to be temporarily absent for a short period from the seat of Government or from 
 the Colony, he may, in every such case, by an Instrument under the Public Seal 
 of the Colony, constitute and appoint any person to be his deputy within the 
 Colony, or any part thereof, during such temporary absence, and in that capacity 
 to exercise, perform and execute for and on behalf of the Governor during such 
 absence, but no longer, all such powers and authorities vested in the Goveinor, 
 as shall in and ))y such Instrument be specified and limited, but no others. Every 
 such Deputy shall conform to and oljserve all such Instructions as the Governor 
 shall from time to time address to him for his guidance : provided nevertheless.
 
 23 
 
 that by the apjmintiiicnt of a Dciiuty, as aforesaid, the piiwrr and autlioiity of 
 the Governor shall not be abridjied, altered or in any way alTeeted, otherwise 
 than We may at any time hereafter think propei- to direet : 
 
 Provided further that, if any sueh l)e])uty shall have been duly ap|)ointed, 
 it shall not be necessary during the continuanee in office of sueh Deputy for any 
 person to agsume the Government of the Colony as Administrator thereof. 
 
 13. Officers and others to obey the Gor-ernor. — And We do hereby recpiire and 
 command all Our Officers and Ministers, Civil and Military, and all other the 
 inhabitants of the Colony, to be obedient, aidinfr and assisting unto th<> (io\ ernor, 
 or to such person or persons as may from time to time, under the provisions of 
 these Our Letters Patent, administer the (Jovernment of the Colony. 
 
 14. Term " the Governor " explained. — In the construction of these Oin- Letters 
 Patent, the term " the Governor," unless inconsistent with the context, shall 
 include every person for the time being administering the Government of the 
 Colony. 
 
 15. Power reserved to His Majesty to revoke, alter or amend jrresejit Letters 
 Patent. — And We do hereby reserve to Ourselves, Our heirs and successors, full 
 power and authority from time to time to revoke, alter or amend these Our 
 Letters Patent, as to Us or them shall seem fit. 
 
 16. Proclamation of Letters Patent. — And We do direct and enjoin that these 
 Our Letters Patent shall commence and come into operation on a day to lie fixed 
 by the High Commissioner by Proclamation in the Southein Rhodesia Govern- 
 ment Gazette and thereafter shall be read and proclaimed at such place or places 
 within the Colony as the Governor shall think fit. 
 
 In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. 
 Witness Ourself at this day of 
 
 in the year of Our Reign. 
 
 By Warrant under the King's Sign Manual.
 
 24 
 
 ENCLOSURE No. IV. 
 
 DRAFT. ♦ 
 
 LsSTRUCTJONS payscd under the Koyal Sign iVIanual and .Signet, to the CJoveinor 
 and Conunandcr-in-Chief of the Colony of Southern Rhodesia. 
 
 Instructions to Our Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Our Colony 
 of Southein Rhodesia, or to the officer for the time being administering 
 the Government of Our said Colony. 
 
 Given at Our Court at St. James, this day of in 
 
 the year of Our Ik-ign. 
 
 WHEREAS by certain Letters Patent bearing even date herewith We have 
 constituted, ordered, and declared that there shall be a Governor and Commander- 
 in-Chief (therein and hereinafter called the Governor) in and over Our Colony 
 of Southern Rhodesia (therein and hereinarfter called the Colony) : 
 
 Kecites Letters Patent, coiistitviing the office of O'orernor. — And whereas We 
 have by the said Letters Patent authorised, empowered, and commanded the 
 GoverTior to do and execute all things that belong to his said Ofhce, according 
 to the tenor of the said Letters Patent and any other Our Letters Patent having 
 effect within the Colony, and of such Commission as may be issued to him under 
 Our Sign Manual and Signet, and according to such Instructions as may from 
 time to time be given to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet or by Our Order 
 in Our Privy Council, or by Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, 
 and to such laws as are now or shall hereafter be in force in the Colony. 
 
 NOW, therefore, We do hereby direct and enjoin and declare Our Will and 
 Pleasure to be as follows : — 
 
 Term ''Governor.'' — I. In these Our Instructions, unless inconsistent with 
 the context, the term " Governor " shall include every person lor the time being 
 administering the Government of the Colony. 
 
 II. Oaths to he administered hy Governor. — The Governoi' may, whenever 
 he thinks fit, require any person in the public service to take the Oath of Allegi- 
 ance, together with such other Oath or Oaths as may from time to time be pre- 
 scribed by any Law in force in the Colony. The Governor is to administer 
 such Oaths or cause them to be administered by some Public Officer of the 
 Colony. 
 
 III. Governor to cotatminicate instructions to Executive Council. — The Governor 
 shall forthwith communicate these Our Instructions to the Executive Council, 
 and likewise all such others, from time to time, as he shall find convenient for 
 Our sei-\'ice to impart to them. 
 
 IV. Executive Council nut to proceed to business unless sumrnoncd hy the Governor's 
 authority. Quorum. — The Executive Council shall not proceed to the desjiateh 
 of busmess unless duly summoned by authority of the Governoi'. nor unless two 
 Members at the least (exclusive of himself or of the Member presiding) be present 
 and assisting throughout the whole of the meetings at which any such business 
 shall be despatched. 
 
 V. Governor to preside, and, in his absence, such Member as he way appoint, or 
 . the Senior Member, to jjreside. Seniority of Members. —The Governor shall attend 
 
 and preside at the meetings of the Executive Council unless prevented by somt-
 
 25 
 
 necessary or reasonable cause, and in his absence such Member as may be 
 appointed by liiiu in that behalf, or in the absence of sucli Membci' tlie senior 
 Member of the Executive Council actually present shall preside. The seniority 
 of the Members of the said Council shall be prescribed by the Ck)vernor. 
 
 VI. Governor to t%ke advice of Executive CotuiciL — In the execution of the iK)\vcr8 
 and authorities vested in him, the Governor shall l)e sj^uided by the advice of the 
 Executive Council, but if in any case he shall see sufficient cause to dissent from 
 the opinion of the said Council, he may act in the exercise of his .said i)owei-s aiul 
 authorities in opposition to the opinion of the Council, reporting the matter to 
 Us without delay, with the reasons for his so acting. 
 
 In any such case it shall be competent to any Member of the said Council 
 to require that there be recorded upon the Minutes of the Council the grounds 
 of any advice or opinion that he may give upon the question. 
 
 VII. Description of laws not to he assented to. — The Governor sliall not assent 
 in Our name to any law of any of the following classes : — 
 
 1. Any law for divorce. 
 
 2. Any law whereby any grant of land or money or other donation or grat\iity 
 
 may be made to himself. 
 
 3. Any law affecting the currency of the Colon3\ 
 
 4. Any law imposing differential duties. 
 
 5. Any law the provisions of which shall appear inconsistent with oljligations 
 
 imposed on Us by Treaty. 
 
 6. Any law of an extraordinary nature and importance whereby Our pre- 
 
 rogative or the rights and property of Our subjects not residing in 
 the Colony, or the trade and shipping of the United Kingdom and 
 its dependencies may be prejudiced. 
 
 7. Any law containing provisions to which Our assent has been once refused 
 
 or which have been disallowed by Us. 
 
 Unless he shall have previously obtained Our Instructions upon such law through 
 one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, or imless such law shall contain a clause 
 suspending the operation thereof until the signification in the Colony of Our 
 pleasure thereupon. 
 
 VIII. Regulation of power of pardon in capital cases. Judge's Report to be laid 
 before Executive Council. Governor to consult Executive Council in sttch cases. 
 May exercise his own judgment. Entering his reasons on the Council Minutes. — 
 Whenever any offender shall have been condemned to suffer death by the sentence 
 of any Court, the Governor shall consult the Executive Council upon the ease 
 of such offender, submitting to the Council any lleport that may have been 
 made by the Judge who tried the case ; and wlienever it appears advisable to 
 do so, taking measures to invite the attendance of such Judge at the Council. 
 The Governor shall not pardon or reprieve any such offender unless it shall apjM'ar 
 to him expedient so to do, upon receiving the advice of the Executive Council 
 thereon ; but in all such cases he is to decide either to extend or to withhold a 
 pardon or reprieve, according to his own deliberate jiulgment, whether the 
 Members of the Executive Council concur therein or otherwise ; entering never- 
 theless, on the Minutes of the Executive Council, a Minute of his leasons, at 
 length, in case he should decide any such question in opposition to the judgment 
 of the majority of the Members thereof. 
 
 IX. Officers to be appointed during j^leasurc. — All conunissions granted by the 
 Governor to any persons to be Officers in the Colony shall, unless otherwise 
 provided by law, be granted during pleasure only. 
 
 X. Governor not to quit the Cohny. Temporary leave nf absence. — Except in 
 accordance with the provisions of any Letters Tatent or of any Connnisaion 
 under Our Sign Manual and Signet the (Joveinor shall not, upon any pretence 
 
 Ji*or^C3»y
 
 26 
 
 whatever, quit the Colony, without having first obtained leave from Us for 
 so doing under Our Sign Manual and Signet, or through one of Our Principal 
 Secretaries of State, unless for the purpose of visiting the High Commissioner 
 for South Africa or the Governor-General or Officer Administering the Govern- 
 ment of Our Union of South Africa, for periods not exceeding one month at any 
 one time, nor exceeding in the aggregate one month for every year's service in 
 the Colony. 
 
 XI. Governor'' s absence from the Colony. — The temporary absence of the 
 Governor for any period not exceeding one month shall not, if he have previously 
 informed the Executive Council in writing of his intended absence, and if he have 
 duly appointed a Deputy in accordance with the above recited Letters Patent, 
 nor shall any extension of such period sanctioned by one of Our Principal 
 Secretaries of State and not exceeding fourteen days, be deemed absence fiom 
 the Colon V within tlie meaning of the said Letters Patent. 
 
 UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA 
 
 AT 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 Printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationery Offiob, 
 by Harrison and Sons, Ltd., 44-47, St. Martin's Lane, W.C 2. 
 
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