THE NEW FEDERAL MINISTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 26 June 1913, Page 4

THE NEW FEDERAL MINISTRY.

The personnel of the Federal Ministry formed by Mr J. H. Cook, Leader of the Liberal Party, is ~nost attractive. Naturally Mr. Cook himself becomes Prime Minister. To this portfolio ho has added that of Minister of Home Affairs. Sir John Forrest, who i s probably the strongest man in the team, becomes Treasurer. His long political experience should eminently fit him for tho posftffon. As Attorney-General Mr Irvino, who has also had wide experience in politics, should give satisfaction, though some might think him entitled to a more important portfolio. Mr Glynn and Mr Groom, who are Ministers of External Affairs and Customs respectively, have not been so much heard of in Federal, politics. 'Senator Miller should do full justice to the position,;of Minister of Defence. Taken altogether, tho new Ministry is admittedly strong and representative, and tho'policy that it will adopt during the short term that it will bo permitted to remain in office, will be wowed tilth intwest.

B.i.\iv Hi NEW ZEALAND. <

It Li ;. v! '!.-.;-x)d (aays tho Evening Fotii) iuat. ji.t tho annual aieeting of sharoh'. i( ... of tho Bank of- New ZeohwiiJ l<> -J ./ proposals will bo made that ;;»•<;iiy bo sought by the bank to largo, w ;'«.-reaso ita capital by tho issue oi xi>•*• sharos of s uch extent, *nd under -.uoh conditions, and on such tvi'iib ;us tho shareholders may decidu; :\?; r 10 take such stepß as may be necivwiry for tho re-oonstructiun of the board of directors in order to give shareholders u greater voice in the representation of their interests "on tho board. At present four directors arc appointed by tho Government, and two by shareholders; probably it will be proposed, to reverso this order. Further, it is likely that the matter of tho retirement of the million sterling capital : guaranteed by tho Govern nout will also l>o discussed. Another proposal which will bo made to tho meeting will probably bo that the ruling of the Court bo obtained as to whether preference shareholders have any right to participate in the resen-e fund, and also whether they havo any right to share in the Lssrue of any ordinary shares that may bo issued.