Executive Reform.

I. Upon the assembling of Parliament after each general election, and as soon as the Speaker of the House of Representatives has been elected, he shall then, for the twenty-four hours next ensuing, receive nominations for seven members of the Ministry. Any person qualified to be elected to the House of Representatives shall be eligible for election to the Ministry The nominations shall be signed by at least six members of the House of Representatives and by the candidate, or the consent of the candidate may be sent by telegram.

II. The Speaker shall notify the closing of the nominations and page 30 fix the time for the election, such time being not more than seventy-two hours, nor less than twenty-four, from the time of closing the nominations, provided that the Speaker may remedy any irregularity of form therein.

III. The voting shall be taken by ballot, and upon the principle of proportional representation, each member having one transferable vote, exercisable in the alternative for as many candidates as he pleases, by writing a figure denoting the order of his choice opposite each name, as illustrated in Schedule A.

IV. The Speaker shall preside over the election, and may appoint such assistants as he may require. Each candidate shall have the right to appoint a scrutineer. The counting of votes shall be proceeded with as prescribed in Schedule B, and the Speaker shall declare the result, winch shall be final.

V. Any member of the Ministry may vacate his office in such manner, or for any such cause as may vacate a seat in the House of Representatives; and the House of Representatives may at any time, by resolution, declare the appointment of any Minister cancelled, provided such resolution be carried by a majority of two-thirds of the whole House.

VI. Vacancies in the Ministry shall be filled by ballot taken in the House of Representatives. The vote of an absolute majority of the whole House shall be required in the case of one vacancy; any greater number shall be elected after the manner prescribed in clause 15.

VII. The Ministers shall each year elect one of their number to be their Chairman and another to be Vice-Chairman, and shall determine the department which each member shall preside over. No Minister shall be Chairman for two successive years.

VIII. At meetings of the Ministry, if the Chairman be not present, the Vice-Chairman shall preside; but no action shall be valid unless four Ministers are present and concur.

IX. The Ministry shall make regulations for the conduct of business, keep minutes of their proceedings, and present copies of such minutes and regulations, attested by the signatures of the Chairman and at least one other Minister, to each Chamber of the Legislature upon the first day of the meeting of each session of Parliament.

X. The Ministers shall have full control over the different departments of state, under the authority of law; but the appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court, members of the Legislative Council, the Agent-General, and such other appointments as may hereafter be declared by law shall be subject to the sanction of Parliament; nor shall the Ministers recommend His Excellency the Governor to dissolve Parliament without like sanction.

XI. The Ministers shall, if directed by a resolution of either Chamber, or may of their own motion, cause to be prepared and introduced for the approval of Parliament any legislative or other proposal.

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XII. Ministers shall submit to both Chambers as soon as possible, at the annual session, full and explicit returns of the expenditure and receipts for the past year, and also the estimated expenditure and receipts for the ensuing year, and shall be responsible to Parliament for the economical and efficient administration of the public service, and such other duties as Parliament may impose.

XIII. If any member of the House of Representatives or of the Legislative Council be elected a member of the Ministry his seat in either Chamber shall be ipso facto vacated; but Ministers shall have the right to be present to speak and initiate proposals in either Chamber, but not to vote.