38 THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT [parr It 
Even before that there were spasmodic attempts to suggest 
the cessation of the practice of sending out Governors from 
home, but the idea was unquestionably much strengthened 
by the coming into force of federation. It was known that 
the Provinces of Canada were administered by Lieutenant- 
Governors appointed by the Governor-General, and, though 
that arrangement was not popular with the supporters of state 
rights, who recognized that to confer the power of appoint- 
ment on the Governor-General was to subject the states to 
federal control in a way quite inconsistent with their own 
views and aspirations, they were inclined in view of possible 
economies to diminish the salary of the Governor and allow 
the Chief Justice to hold the post as well as his own. This 
view was supported by others who were totally opposed 
to the maintenance of state rights, and who welcomed any 
step which would have the result of lowering the status of 
the states and furthering their ideal of their abolition as 
independent entities! Moreover, events made it necessary 
for all the Governments to economize, and the obvious 
economy of cutting down the Governor’s pay was appreciated 
on all sides. But the movement did not ultimately prevail 
as much as was expected, and the State Premiers in their 
Conference at Brisbane in May 1907 passed a resolution 
against any interference with the existing system, as being 
likely to tend to the lowering of the position of the states, 
though the representatives of South Australia expressed the 
view of the State Government in favour of the change from 
home to local appointments? None the less, in the Legis- 
A Bill to reconstitute the Commonwealth on the lines of the South 
African Union was introduced into the Commonwealth Parliament in 1910 
by a Labour member as a ballon d’ essai. 
* From federation onwards there were constant proposals to reduce 
salaries, and in point of fact that of the Governor of Tasmania, was cut 
down to £2,750, and that of the Governor of Queensland to £3,000. But the 
Governments did not press for local appointments. Allowances were also 
varied and reduced, and the State Governments of New South Wales and 
Victoria transferred the Government Houses to the Federal Government 
for the use of the Governor-General, supplying other houses instead. 
* Bee Victoria Parl. Pap., 1907, No. 23, pp. 298-301. The question wags