The Denver Jewish news., 1922-02-15
Draft of Palestine Con-
stitution Made Public
PLAN FOR GOVERNMENT OF PAL
ESTINE ANNOUNCED BY BRIT
lSH COLONIAL OFFICE, HIGH
COMMISSIONER ALSO MADE
CONTNIANDER-IN.CHIEF.

cral important clauses from the draft
!icularly one dealing with Jewish i'm
migration, negotiations over which are
understood to be proceeding between
the Zionist organization and the Brit
published the draft of the Palcstinian
Constitution.
The Constitution provides for the
appointment of n High Commissioner
who is TO act at the same time as the
Commandcr-in-Ch Chief of the British
military forces. He is to have all
powers necessary for the general ad
ministration of the country and the
for the Jewish people.
The High Commissioner has author
ity. with the approval of the Secrc-
Iary of State for the Colonies. to di-
vide the country into provinces and
districts. The alocation of mines and
minerals is vested in him. subject to
the existing right of any person to
work the mines and prospect for mill
erals based on valid concession pre-
viOnsly granted. The granting an'
leasing of public land containing mines
and minerals is also vested with the
High Commissioner who may under
certain conditions permit the lands
10 be temporarily occupied.
Subject to the approval of the Sec
retary of State for the Colonies, the
High Commissioner may appoint at
government. The High Commissioner
IL TO be assisted by an Executive
Council to he constituted ms directed
lry the Imperial Government. and the
Legislative Council. to be composed of
20 members. OF these, 10 are "of.
ficial," being directors of government
departments who are appointed. Three
II embers: n Jew, a Christian and n
Moslem-arc to he nominated, one by
the Chamber of Commerce and two by
the High Commissioner. The remain
ing II members are To he elected at
primary and secondary elections. the
secondary electors being chosen mt the
primaries, the Electoral College thus
constituted then choosing the mem
bers.
Every male Palestinian citizen over
the age of - is entitled to vote at
the primaries unless he has forfeited
the right by II claim that he is
foreign subject. thus choosing foreign
protection. or is otherwise disInali-
fed.
The Legislative Council has author
ity to enact ordinances necessary to
the establishment of good government
in Palestine. providing no ordinance
is passed which restricts complete
freedom of conscience or the free en-
ercise of all forms of worship. Or
dinnnccs may be passed which are re-
CURED for the maintenance of public
order or morals. but none may he
Established TO discriminate in any
way against Palestinian inhabitants of
any race. religion or language.
Ordinances passed by the Lcgisla
tive Council do not become effective
until the High Commissioner has as
scnted or the assent of His Majesty's
Government by order of Council or
- rough the Secretary of State. has
been obtained The High Commission
er may reserve ordinances for the ap-
proval of His Majesty's Government
ard any ordinance which concerns
matters that are dealt with specitical-
ly by provisions of the Mandate may
also he reserved ''for His MajeSty's
pleasure" The British Government
further reserves for itself the right to
veto any ordinance to which the High
Commissioner had consented, provided
the veto is applied within one year of
the date of the assent. Notice of veto
must come through the Secretary OF
State.
The judiciary system is to consist
of Magistrates Court and District
Courts having jurisdiction over all
civil matters. Criminal matters do
not come within the jurisdiction of the
Magistrates Court, but rest with the
Court for Criminal Assizes, having eN-
elusive jurisdiction over capital Of
fenses. Land courts. Supreme Courts
acting also as Court of Appeal, Dis
trict and other courts are also estah-
lisbed. and Tribal Courts are rec
ognized for cases involving applica-
tion of legal customs Moslem relis-