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houses, the House of Peers (Majlis-i-A'yan),
and the House of Representatives, Majlis-i-
Shura-i-Milli. The former is composed of
sixty members who hold their seats by right of
birth or by nomination by the King. Most
of them are men who have rendered great and
meritorious services to the country. The شورای ملی
House of Representatives consists of 120
members elected by ballot from among the
voters in each constituency. Suffrage is not
restricted by any property qualification, and
is extended to all people over twenty years of
age, possessing sound moral character.
A general meeting (Loya Jirgah) must be
held at least once in every three years. No
new taxes can be imposed or new laws framed
without the consent of the Loya Jirgah. But
large powers are reserved for the King ; this
being an absolute necessity in a country
where democratic institutions are yet in their
infancy and which has yet to learn the art of
Government by experience. Only the King
can declare war or negotiate for peace with
the enemy or enter into treaties. No laws
passed by the Majlis can become operative
until his sanction has been obtained. He
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Roughly two thirds of characters agree with a modern printed edition of the same text. Much of the disagreement is editorial, not misreading. Treat the transcription as a finding aid and read the page image before quoting. How this was measured.