AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

S FEDERAL WAR MINISTRY. Reeeived Feb. 18, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 17. After further lengthy conferences with Mr. Cpok and his own Ministerial colleagues, Mr. Hughes announcad that the following Ministry, consisting of six Liberals and five Hughesites, to be known as the Commonwealth War Ministry, has been formed:— Hon. W. Hughes—Prime Minister and Attorney-General. Hon. Joseph Cook—Navy. Sir John Forrpst^—Treasurer. Senator Pearce—|Dcience. Hon. Senator Milieu—Vice-President of the Executive Council. • Hon. W. A. Watt—Public Works and j Railways. Hon. P. Glynn—Home Affairs and Territories. Hon. A. Jensen—Customs. Hon. W. Webster—'Postmaster-Gener-al. . ' Hon. L. E. Groom and Hon. Senator E. J. Russell—Honorary Ministers. j A STRONG TEAM, SPECIAL WORK FOR SIR W. IRVINE. Received Feb. 18, 5.5 p.m. ■ • MELBOURNE, Feb. 18. In the course of a statement to pressmen, Mr Hughes claimed that the Ministry was a strong team, such as would give effect to the desire of the people to prosecute the war with the utmost determination to the desirea end He also stated that he had asked Sir W. Irvine to placo his services at the disposal of the Government in relation to a vital and urgent matter, arising out of the war, and that Sir W. Irvine had consented. Mr Hughes refused to give any explanation, but the deduction is that Sir W. Irvine will accompany Mr Hughes to the Imperial Conference. RECORDING SOLDIERS' VOTES. Sydney, Feb. 17. Mr. Holman announced that no provision would bo made for recording the votes of soldiers abroad at the forthcoming elections.