4 APRIL 1868, Page 3

Mr. Ward Hunt introduced his Bill enabling the State to

absorb the Telegraphs on Wednesday. Mr. Hunt made a very poor speech, apparently from want of time, but we hope to discuss his Bill more fully next week, when we shall not be quite so much swamped by the Irish debate. Its main feature is, that while Government cannot compel a company to sell, a company can compel Government to purchase,—a plan which, as at present advised, strikes us as decidedly imbecile. Government must have the whole system or none, and had better have started its own lines, leaving the Companies to compete if they can. They say Government management is always wasteful and bad, and of course, therefore, need not fear its competition.