oHAP. 111] THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 987 
now need special appropriation, as has been the case in 
England and is the case in the Commonwealth. For a 
period up to two months after the first meeting of the 
Parliament the two funds may be drawn upon by the 
Governor-General in Council, but subject to that provision 
no moneys shall be withdrawn from either funds except 
ander appropriations made by law. 
All stock, cash, bankers’ balances and securities, Crown 
land, public works, and all movable or immovable property, 
and all mining and other rights belonging to the Colonial 
Governments, shall vest in the Governor-General in Council, 
in each case subject to any debt or liability specifically 
charged thereon. In return the Union shall assume all the 
debts of the Colonies as they stood at the time of the Union, 
subject in all cases to precisely the same conditions as exist 
at present. Subject to these conditions, the Union may 
renew, convert, or consolidate the debts. 
Similarly all ports, harbours, and railways belonging to 
the Colonies shall vest in the Governor-General in Council. 
No public railway and no port, harbour, or similar work shall 
be constructed without the sanction of Parliament. Subject 
to the authority of the Governor-General in Council, the 
control and management of railways, ports, and harbours 
shall be vested in a Board of not more than three commis- 
sioners appointed by the Governor-General in Council and 
a Minister of State, who shall be chairman. The commis- 
sioners will hold office for five years, and can only be dismissed 
within that period for reasons assigned and laid before 
Parliament within a week after the removal if Parliament 
be sitting, or if not, within one week after the commence- 
ment of the next ensuing session. The salaries of the 
! In the case of Australia the right of the Commonwealth to assume 
the debts of the states as they stood at federation has not yet been exercised, 
vending some agreement with the states as to financial arrangements 
on the expiration of the ‘Braddon’ clause as to division of customs 
revenue ; but steps to effect this result are now being considered, and the 
power of the Commonwealth has been extended to include the taking 
over of any and every debt by Act Nu. 3 of 1910. For South Africa debts 
of, Lhe Government of South Africa, ii. 218 seq.