The Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1869.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1053, 1 June 1869, Page 2

The Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1869.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Thb New Zealand parliament; will be opened by commission afc 2 o'clock today. In many respects the present session will be one of great importance, and parliamentary intelligence will be eagerly looked for by the settlers of every province, more particularly by those of this and other exposed portions of the Northern Island, whose very existence depends upon the legislation of the next few weeks. The attitude taken by many parts of the Middle Island in reference to the war expenditure of the north, is very serious indeed as viewed by the latter. If fiuaucial separation is to be insisted upon — and the south has votes enough to carry such a measure — and appropriation for defence purposes be sternly refused, there is little hope indeed for the settlers of this Islaud generally. They cannot bear the sole burden of war ; still less can they remain exposed to the assaults of Kooti, and bloodthirsty savages of a like character. The difficulty of the position will be enhanced by the enormous liabilities that have been iucurred by the present Government, with results, as yet, wholly disproportioned to the cost. The only hope for the colouy that we can see — aud that is a forlorn one — is in a change of Ministry and a strong appeal to the Home Government for the protection to which every British subject is entitled.