CONSIDERATION OF STATE ADMINISTRATION AND THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE STATE INCLUDES A DESCRIPTION OF GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES, THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARTY SYSTEM SINCE 1848, FOLLOWED BY BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH CURRENT POLITICAL PARTY. THE ORDINARY ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS ENTRUSTED EXCLUSIVELY TO APPOINTED JUDGES. THE JURY SYSTEM IS UNKNOWN IN THE NETHERLANDS. JUDGES ARE NOMINALLY APPOINTED FOR LIFE, BUT RETIRE AT THE AGE OF 70. THE ORDINARY ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS CONDUCTED BY 62 CANTONAL COURTS, 19 DISTRICT COURTS, 5 COURTS OF APPEAL, AND THE SUPREME COURT. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS MAY ONLY BE INSTITUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, WITH 180 PUBLIC PROSECUTORS. NO CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 12 CAN BE CHARGED WITH A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, AND FOR JUVENILES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 17, THERE IS A SEPARATE JUSTICE SYSTEM. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WAS ABOLISHED IN THE NETHERLANDS IN 1870, AND A SYSTEM OF PUNISHMENT IS CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED IN WHICH THERE WILL BE FEWER PRISONER SENTENCES. THE REHABILITATIVE FUNCTION OF CORRECTIONS IS EMPHASIZED. PROBATION AND AFTERCARE ARE GIVEN STRONG SUPPORT. STATISTICS ARE PROVIDED FOR JUDICIAL CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION AT THE END OF 1969, 1970, 1971, AND 1972. (RCB)