POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE. BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1550, 10 June 1882, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE. BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

The Northern Trunk Railway. Wellington, Last Night. The Wellington and Hawke's Bay mem ■ bers are about to combine to resist the proposed route of railway via Tarauaki. The motive on the part of Hawke s Bay is palpable enough : The Taranaki route will cut their district from the main through line, and it will otherwise be debarred from participating directly in the expenditure. The Wellington defection is not quite as palpable ; still it can be explained, and the only feasible explanation is this : Taranaki and the West Coast district is but poorly provided with harbors, and so long as the line to Taranaki remains as it is, without an outlet except by way of Port Nicholson, the trade is bound to go there. Once make a main through line to Auckland, and the latter will become a formidable rival for that trade. The combination, on its own merits, is not by any means as alarming. One of the projected routes will, of course, commend itself to Taranaki, Avhich, combining as it will do with Auckland, will give a block vote of 21, whereas Wellington and Napier together will not exceed 14. Under these circumstances there may be some obstruction, but there cannot possibly be any valid obstacle by way of reprisal. I amtold that Auckland and Taranaki will go in to aid and abet the removal of the seat of Government to Christchurch. In all probality a bare tin eat of the kind will be enough to silence Wellington's opposition to the route.

Sir George Grey. Sir George Grey's speech to-night on the Law Practitioners Bill was the grandest piece of oratory that has been heard in Parliament for a long time. His concluding sentences actually shamed the opponents of the bill, so much so that they allowedlt to pass without a division. It was the biggest victory obtained in the House for a long time.