The first and most natural impulse of Mr. Bruce, when
he recognized long ago the necessity of reforming the machinery of Compulsory arbitration, was to make the Federal laW suprenie. He proposed that the State should stand aside altogether or should at least yield to the superior importance of a Federal judgment. He failed to obtain the consent of the States, and he came to the conclusion that there was nothing for it but to take, the less desirable course of ending the rule of the Federal, Courts except in the shipping industry, which is necessarily.- all-Australian in character. His point was that the conflict between the main Courts and • the minor Courts could not. be suffered to continue, because Australian interests were being sacrificed all along the line. Inevitably the conflict raised the awkward question of the ultimate source of authority—Government or trade unions. SO strongly did he feel this that he made the matter the one subject of his appeal to the country at the last elections: He was returned by such a satisfactory majority that the way seemed clear for reform.
