Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 6; 1869. THINGS POLITICAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1063, 6 July 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 6; 1869. THINGS POLITICAL.

The new ministry has beeii strengthened by the accession of Mr. Gisboue and Mr. Bell. The former, as Under Secretary for a long series of years, has acquired a knowledge and experience of public affairs which eminently fit him for his uew position. Mr. Bell is also a gentlemau of lengthened New Zealand experience as well as of great ability ; aud, while fully competent to realise the" difficulties aud struggles of the North, has the advantage of entering the cabinet in the enjoyment of the support and confidence of the Otago members generally, who, this year, have acfed together with a unanimity of feeling not characteristic of the other provinces. The remaining seat in the cabinet — that of Postmaster-general — will, it is stated, be filled by one of the representatives of Canterbury.

A cabinet council, as will be learnt from our telegraphic news, was held yesterday j and it is expected that a full statemeut of the native policy of the Government will be made in a day or two.

We have not heard when the financial statement will be made. From what has transpired, it would appear that, for some inottths back, Colonel Whitmore has exercised unbounded influence over the Stafford Ministry, and has obtained their concurrence to the wildest and most expensive schemes. Colonel Haultain, no longer quarrelling over an expenditure of a few shillings as he has been known to do, has rushed into schemes which, before they are done with, may involve hundreds of thousands of pounds, Col, Whitmore,

full of 'energy, has never, within the experience of his fellow colonists, shewn auy judgment j uorhas he shewn much iv the gigantic aud hitherto fruitless expeditions which have originated with him. At all events he has evinced an utter disregard to the financial resources of the country, and the Government now finds itself in this position, that, without another loan, it cannot, by a loug sum, meet past liabilities for defence purposes. What is already known of those liabilities is appalling ; and claims without number have yet to come in. It will be readily conceived, therefore, that the task upon which the Colonial Treasurer is engaged is no light oue.

We observe that three journals, and, so far as we kuow, three only out of the 80 odd which flourish in New Zealand, are attacking the new ministry* These three are the Wellington Independent, the Nelson Examiner, and the Hawke's Bay Times. The last named has given us some pieces of iu forma* tion, oue of which is that Mr. Fox, after stating that the ministry had received alarming telegrams, had seen fit to withdraw the statement. Knowing as we do that Such telegrams were re* ceived, we can state with confidence that the statement was not withdrawn, and that the gravity of the situation is acknowledged by every one who has the means of forming au opiuion. Our contemporary will also pardon us for remarking that it is somewhat disingenuous to publish Colonel Haultahi's speech in reply to Mr. Ormond without having previously given that of the last named gentleman.

Under the administration of the new Government, there is at least a chance of a general war being averted and of the Northern Island being saved. Under the old regime, we do not hesitate to say, nothiug could have saved it from destruction aud its settlers from ruin.