AREA AND POPULATION 353
11,768 votes of Natives were recorded. For one European and one Maori Electorate there was no election, the sitting member being returned un- opposed in each case. In 1911 there was one European member in the House of Representatives to every 13,354 persons, and one Maoii member to about 12,461 Natives. The proportion of European electors to popu- lation in the year 1908 was one to every 1'8 persons.
Parliamentary Parties (December, 1911) : — Conservatives, 39 ; Liberals, 33 ; Labour, 4 ; Independent, 4.
Governor. — His Excellency Rt. Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.Y.O. Salary of 5,000/., and 2,00GZ. additional of allowances. The Governor is Commander-in-fJhief of the Forces.
Prime Minister (July 10, 1912), Minister of Lands, Minister of Agri- vulture, Minister of Labour, Minister of Industries and Comm(rcc, Com- missioncr of State Forests. — Hon. W. F. Massey.
Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence, Minister of Education, — Hon. J. Allen.
Minister of Railways and Nativo Minister. — Hon. W. H. Herries.
Minister of Public JVorJcs, Roads, and Bridges, Minister of Mines. — Hon. W. Fraser.
Attorney- General, Minister of Justice. — Hon. A. L. Herdman.
Minister of Customs, Minister of Marine, Minister in Charge of Govern- ment Life and Accident Insurance, National Provident Fiond, and Old.-age Pensions Departments. — Hon. F. M. B. Fisher.
Minislcr of Internal Affairs, Minister of Imiaigration. — Hon. F. H. D. Bell, K.C.
Postmaster- General and Minister of Telegraphs, Minister of Public Hmlth. — Hon. R. H. Rhodes.
Member of the Executive Council representing the Native Race, and in Charge of Maori Councils, Cook and other Islands Administration. — Hon. Dr. Pomare.
Department of the High Commissioner in London : — High Commissioner. — The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie. Secretary to the Department. — C. Wray Palliser.
Local Government.
For purposes of local government New Zealand is divided into counties and boroughs. The counties are subdivided into ridings. County councils are empowered to constitute road districts on petition being made. Besides the road districts, which are very numerous, there are town, drainage, and water supply districts and river tramway and harbour boards.
The ratepayers in the road districts of a county are qualified as electors for the purposes of the county council, and the members of each road board are elected by the ratepayers of the district.
Area and Population.
There are two ])rincipal islands the North and South Islands, besides Stewart Island, and small outlying islands, including (since 1901), the Cook and some other islands in the Pacific Ocean. The group is 1,000 miles long, and 180 miles across at the broadest part ; coast line 3,000
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