IN BRITAIN. AGAINST CONSCRIPTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8280, 27 October 1915, Page 6

IN BRITAIN.

AGAINST CONSCRIPTION.

MANIFESTO BY M.P.'S. DISASTROUS TO SUCCESS: • ; ;, -LONDON; October 25. Mr C. E. Hobhouse, Mr Allen, and Mr J. H.Whitehoiise, on .behalf of the members of Parliament who oppose conscription, have issued a manifesto giving reasons for their belief that conscription would be disastrous to the successful prosecution of the war, and destroy the basis of national unity. Britain has, they say, five duties in the war—to maintain an impregnable and inviolable Navy, to manufacture munitions for herself and her Allies, to finance her Allies and the Dominions, and to raise and maintain an army running into millions. We have already suddenly withdrawn something like 3,000,000 men from the industries of Britain, and an indefinite increase would entail a heavy increase in expenditure and hamper the Allies' cause by reducing our capacity to assist them. Tho men* attempt to introduce conscription would have tl\o gravest consequences, destroying tin'tional unity. Organised ■industries arcdetermined to resist it, and !.h<- three

greatest labour bodies have prepared for corporate action. The war, even if prolonged through lack of conscription, must bo won by our financial and industrial strength. We must remember tho deep suspicions attaching to some influences behind tho oonscription campaign, also Ireland's opposition.