252 TlMEHRI. 
A revised Bill for the organisation of the Government of 
the colony was introduced and voted by the States-Gene- 
ral. On the 31st May, 1865, it became law, was pro- 
claimed in the colony on the 27th October, 1865, to come 
in force and operation on the 1st January, 1866. This 
Statute law is, at present, the fundamental law of the 
colony of Surinam. 
There is no need to state that it is based on a system 
of direcl representation of the inhabitants by their 
chosen representatives. 
The Governor is the representative in the colony of 
the King and is invested with executive power. He is 
aided by a Council of Administration (Raad van 
Bestuur), of which he is president, and of which the 
members are the Attorney-general, vice president, and 
three others appointed by the Crown. This Council can 
be considered as the Governor's Privy Council. He is 
obliged to ask for the Council's opinion before submit- 
ting any Bill for approbation and consent to the 
Colonial States. He is also bound to do so on enacting 
or taking any resolution in his capacity as invested with 
the Executive and, in like manner, in matters of Bills 
emanating from and initiated by the Colonial States and 
forwarded for proclamation to the Executive ; and further 
in all matters wherein he is ordered to do so, either by a 
Colonial Ordinance or by order of the Crown, acting 
within her attributes under the constitution of the 
Realm. The Governor is also entitled to order the 
officers of the army and of the navy, stationed in the 
colony and also officers of the civil service to assist at 
the meetings of the Council and there to give all neces- 
sary information. 
