A measure of the importance attached by the Parlia- mentary
leaders to the present state of affairs is seen in the agreement frankly and openly made between Mr. Bruce and the leader of the Labour Opposition in the Federal Parliament, Mr. Charlton, that each will urge his followers to vote in support of the proposal ; which is, in short, to establish Commonwealth authorities who will regulate industrial matters in many directions. Mr. Bruce and Mr. Charlton have not by any means succeeded, so far, in persuading their followers to give them unani- mous support. On the Government side there is a fear lest the concentration of authority in the hands of a Commonwealth body would be dangerous if an extremist Government should obtain power. On the Labour side there is suspicion of increased restriction upon associations of employees (though, of course, associations of employers are put formally on the same level) and of" the protection of the public in case of actual or probable interruption of essential services." No doubt the responsible men in Australia watched our general strike with careful attention.
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