Southern Rhodesian Legislative Council

Rhodesia

This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Rhodesia
Constitutional history — Overview 1890–1923 BSA Company rule 1923–1980 Southern Rhodesia 1953–1963 Rhodesia–Nyasaland Federation 1965–1979 Rhodesia under UDI 1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia (under UDI)
Government Governor / President Prime Minister
Legislature 1899–1923 Legislative Council 1924–1970 Legislative Assembly
Elections General 1924 1928 1933 1934 1939 1946 1948 1954 1958 1962 1965 1970 1974 1977 1979 1980 Legislative Council 1899 1902 1905 1908 1911 1914 1920 Referendums 1922 1934 1953 1961 1964 1969 1979
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The Southern Rhodesian Legislative Council was the inaugural governing body for the British South Africa Company (BSAC) territory of Southern Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) before its replacement by the Southern Rhodesian Legislative Assembly in 1923, when the country achieved responsible government, and duly became a self-governing colony within the British Empire.

The Council was established on 20 October 1898, and the first election for the Council was held on 17 April 1899.^[1] The Council sat for the first time in May 1899. Initially, the Council consisted of four elected members and five members nominated by the British South Africa Company, with the BSAC administrator presiding (and who also holding the right of veto over any legislation).^[2] Additionally, a British resident commissioner sat on the Council as a non-voting member.^[3]

Qualifications for members and franchise were set by the commissioner, who required voters to be British subjects, male, 21 years of age and older, able to write their address and occupation, and then to fulfil any one of the following financial requirements:

(a) ownership of a registered mining claim in Southern Rhodesia

(b) six months' continuous residence in Southern Rhodesia, and the occupation there of immovable property worth at least £75 (about (£7,148 in today's money^[4])

(c) six months' continuous residence in Southern Rhodesia, and the receipt there of wages or salary worth at least £50 per annum (£4,766 per annum today^[4]).

All voters were entered onto a common roll.

Due to continuing pressure by white settlers for a greater role in the administration of the colony, the number of elected representatives on the Council was gradually increased, so that by 1920 there were 13 elected members.^[3]

The main issue debated in the Legislative Council by the 1910s was the future of Southern Rhodesia following the planned end of BSAC rule.^[3] When responsible government was granted to Southern Rhodesia in 1923, the Legislative Council was replaced by the Legislative Assembly.^[2]

References

↑ Willson, F. (1963) Source Book of Parliamentary Elections and Referenda in Southern Rhodesia 1898-1962, Department of Government, University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Salisbury.
1 2 Berens, D. (1988) A Concise Encyclopedia of Zimbabwe, Mambo Press, Gweru.
1 2 3 Kent Rasmussen, R. & Rubert, S. (1990) Historical Dictionary of Zimbabwe, The Scarecrow Press, London.
1 2 UK CPI inflation numbers based on data available from Gregory Clark (2016), "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)" MeasuringWorth.

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