partly nominated by the Governor General. Representation was communal, with Europeans, Natives and Foreign Orientals being separately represented; half the members had to be non-Dutch native subjects. The Governor General might consult this body on all matters, and was obliged to bring before it matters which concerned the Budget, colonial loans, bills and general measures of government having reference exclusively, or in a considerable degree, to the Netherlands Indies. The essential function of the Volksraad was to represent the interests of the N.E.I.