Cultural Artefact: Constitution of 1970

Functions
Constitution

Details

The new Constitution officially went into effect on 10 April 1970 by an Order of the Privy Council in London. The Order provided for a new, single Governing Council (q.v.) consisting of the High Commissioner, up to nine official members (three ex-officio and not more than six public servants). The number of elected members was increased from fourteen to seventeen. The Executive Council was abolished. The Governing Council had Executive Committees in place of the former Legislative and Executive Councils. There were six Malaitan District constituencies, six in Central District (including Honiara), three in Western District, and two in Eastern District. For the first time, elected members outnumbered the official members.

In 1973, the number of elected members was increased again, to twenty-four, and public service membership was discontinued. (NS 15 Apr. 1970; AR 1974, 137; Russell 1970)

Related Corporate Bodies

Published resources

Book Sections

  • Russell, Tom, 'The 1970 Constitution for the British Solomon Islands', in Marion M. Ward (ed.), The Politics of Melanesia, Ninth Waigani Seminar, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, and the University of Papua New Guinea, Canberra and Port Moresby, 1970, pp. 225-238. Details

Journals

  • British Solomon Islands Protectorate (ed.), British Solomon Islands Protectorate News Sheet (NS), 1955-1975. Details

Reports

  • British Solomon Islands Protectorate, British Solomon Islands Protectorate Annual Reports (AR), 1896-1973. Details