Spanish East Indies not materialize.) In a similar vein, to promote innovation and education among the residents of the islands, Governor-General José Basco y Vargas established the Economic Society of the Friends of the Country. For over 256 years, the Spanish East Indies were governed by a governor-captain general, and an audiencia. All economic matters of the Philippines were managed by the Viceroyalty of New Spain, located in Mexico. Because the eastward route was more widely used for military purposes, in addition to commerce that included the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, most government correspondence went through Mexico, rather than directly to Spain (with the
Volksraad (Dutch East Indies) Volksraad (Dutch East Indies) A People's Council (Volksraad) for the Dutch East Indies was provided for by law in 1916, but its establishment was procrastinated until the actual installation of the Council in 1918. It was a hesitant and slow attempt at democratisation of the Dutch East Indies. The power of the "Volksraad" was limited as it only had advisory powers. Although part of the council was elected only a small proportion of the population had voting rights. The "Volksraad" had sixty members: 30 members from various indigenous groups, 25 European, and 5 from Chinese, Arab and other "Foreign Orientals".