Reconstruction by the People and for the People
Statement of the Netherlands Government of January 27th, 1942 announcing the calling of a postwar reconstruction conference composed of representatives from all parts of the Kingdom.

‘The present political structure of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as well as the relations between the Motherland and her Overseas Territories are based on the Constitution of 1922 and the Constitutions of the Netherlands Indies, Surinam and Curaço built thereon.

 

Since 1922 the spiritual and material development of these Overseas Territories, especially the Netherlands Indies, has been unusually rapid. In consequence, the thoughts of the Motherland and the Indies, in and outside their representative bodies, during the latter years have been especially focused on constitutional measures for a greater emancipation within the Empire of these Overseas Territories.

 

The excellent attitude and spiritual energy that these parts displayed under the leadership of their Governors and notwithstanding the rupture of their ties with the Motherland, proofs given in these times of their ability to stand on their own legs, have stimulated the processes of spiritual and political emancipation in ever growing groups of overseas populations.

 

In order to direct these deserving aspirations, aiming at the improvement of relationships between Netherlands territories in accordance with gradually grown circumstances, Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina announced in a radio speech on May 10, 1941 that an Imperial Conference would be convened after the war.

 

The Crown now has made its decision in regard to calling this post-war conference in order to prepare the way for carrying through political reforms. The conference will be composed of prominent persons from all the four Netherlands territories who will be expected to represent various spiritual movements in these parts.

 

Participation will be as follows: from the Netherlands, 15 members; Netherlands Indies, 15 members; and Surinam and Curaçao each three. Of the 15 members from the Netherlands Indies, 10 will be appointed by the Government of the Netherlands Indies on recommendation of the People's Council and five by the Government of the Netherlands Indies independently. Members from Surinam and Curaçao will be appointed by the Governor, two on recommendation of the States and one of the Government.

 

Appointment of the members for the East Indies and West Indies will be made now in order to enable the appointees to study and prepare their subject freely and thoroughly. The Governor-General of the Netherlands Indies and

the Governors of Surinam and Curaçao have been asked to publish the Queen's decision with all possible speed and to appoint deputies for their territories.

 

The conference's task will be of an advisory nature and the conference itself will be in the nature of a round-table discussion which will consider all wishes and opinions in regard to the position of the various territories within the structure of the Empire and will make recommendations on the basis of these discussions.’