154 Australian Life 



disapproval of their fellows elsewhere, they re- 

 treated from their position and resumed work. 



These Arbitration courts are gradually estab- 

 lishing definite rates of pay in most employments, 

 and further legislation provides that these rates 

 shall not be lowered by the introduction of cheaper 

 labour from outside. The Immigration Act of 

 the Commonwealth Parliament, for instance, pro- 

 vides for the exclusion of coloured labour, and of 

 contract labourers as well. Attention was drawn 

 to this by the notorious case of six hatters, who 

 were subjected to the interrogation of the authori- 

 ties before being allowed to enter Australia. It 

 was made clear at the time that it was possible 

 for white British subjects to be excluded from the 

 Commonwealth if they entered into a contract 

 with their employers before reaching Australia, 

 and the fact was eagerly seized and used as a 

 basis of attack upon the Government respon- 

 sible for such legislation. The wrongs of the 

 six hatters were discussed in both the English 

 and the Australian Press, and inspired many a 

 spirited Opposition assault in the Commonwealth 

 Parliament. 



Meanwhile, the six hatters themselves had 

 settled down comfortably in Sydney, and proved 

 in due time that, once having obtained admission 

 into Australia, they were fully contented with its 

 industrial legislation. 



The occasion occurred at the general election 

 of 1903, when Mr. G, R. Reid, the Opposition 



