868 THE FEDERATIONS AND THE UNION [PART IV
labour in other states, the special offender being Tasmania,
which, however, in 1910 reformed, by passing a Wages Board
Act, a Workers’ Compensation Act, and a Factories Act of
the usual type. The scheme was more or less attractive,
but went out with its authors’ defeat.
An appeal was made to the electors by Mr. Deakin as the
chief mover in the scheme of 1909, in a letter dated Decem-
ber 1, 1910, in which he argued that the arrangements
proposed went far beyond what is necessary. He thought
that public opinion was now ripe for bringing trusts, com-
bines, and corporations under the law, and harmonizing
competitive industrial conditions throughout the Common-
wealth. The proposed arrangements, he stated, destroyed
the federal principle, and defeated the development of local
self-government ; they were vague and indefinite and
theoretical and speculative. He criticized the combination
of so many different points in the Legislative Powers Bill
which rendered it difficult for the electors to pronounce a free
vote. Endless litigation and friction would be caused ; the
Commonwealth could cut down the revenue of the railway
System without accepting responsibility, or increase their
annual working cost without responsibility. The result of the
Commonwealth action would produce a wooden uniformity
incompatible with the interests of the Commonwealth.
The need of the increase of the powers of the Common-
wealth was in the opinion of the Labour party ! increased
by the decision delivered in the latter part of December 1910
by the High Court with regard to the powers of the Common-
wealth as to regulating the coasting trade.
(f) The Coasting Trade
The question of the legislative authority with regard to
coasting trade was considered by the High Court of the
Commonwealth in the case of the Seamen’s Compensation
Act of 1909. In the case in question, decided in December
1910—88. Kalibia v. Wilson >—the vessel was chartered to
See e.g. Sydney Bulletin, March 30, 1911.
Keith. Journ. Soc. Comp. Leg., xii. 116 seq.
