THE NEW GOVERNORGENERAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8652, 10 February 1914, Page 4

THE NEW GOVERNORGENERAL

The Imperial Government appears to have made a wide choice in a.ppointr ing Mr Munro-Ferguson to the important position of Governor-General bf Australia, in succession to Lord Denman, whose ill-health has unfortunately compelled his resignation. Mr Muuro-Fcrguson is a man of considerable talent and of long political experience, rfe may also ho expected to. take a keen and sympathetic interest in the great efforts of the Australians! in regard to defence, for he has al-i r ays been fond of soldiering. Indeed, he joined the Fife Light Horse as a boy of fifteen. The War Office objected to liim on the score of his youth, but his commanding officer represented that he was a young man greatly beyond his years both in capacity and in bodily strength. On that representation ho was allowed to remain in the regiment, and he subsequently attained the captaincy of a company. Then he attended the Royal Military Oollego at Sandhurst' with success, and joined the Grenadier Guards. Mr MunxoFerguson resigned his oom,mission to enter politics in 1894. As private secretary ho accompanied Lord Rosebery to India, and there met, wooed and won for his wife Lady Henmione Blackwood, daughter of the Marquis of Dufforin and Ava. Ho has been a load, of the Treasury, a Liberal Whip, and Referee of Private Bills. Mr Main ro-Ferguson is an ardent Liberal. On the question of Home Rule for Ireland he is an advocate of devolution, or “home rule all round.” The new Governor-'General is in bis fifty-fourth year.