In the early stages of the parliament , the Labor party engaged in a partnership with the more radical Protectionists .
Labor 's wide - ranging policies for social reform met with only lukewarm support from most Protectionists .
In the early stages of the parliament , the Labor party engaged in a partnership with the more radical Protectionists , but Labor 's wide - ranging policies for social reform met with only lukewarm support from most Protectionists .