CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 89, 16 May 1916, Page 6

CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA.

LABOUR'S BITTER HOSTILITY. EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE. MELBOURNE, May 11. At the Trades Hall Congress, convened to discuss war service, and representing 300,000 trade unionists, a motion was submitted recording members' detestation of conscription, which was being introduced by vile means, by which Labour would be overawed by Capital, affirming that the voluntary system would supply sufficient men, and calling on the Government to increase privates' pay to 10s a day, and to appropriate iV war purposes all rents, interests, profits and other incomes in excess of the equivalent pay of a private. Discussion of the motiou was adjourned. Each delegate received a manifesto urging al! unionists to prepare for a general strike, to render the imposition, of conscription impossible. "If a militaristic caste is essential," says tin 1 manifesto, "it is only to bolster up Capitalism. Let the Labour movement pronounce, not against any particular nationality', but for the unity of Labour as the hope of the world. Should conscription become law, the Government will challenge an organised revolt, and will have to take the lives of those who uphold the basic working-class principles at any cost." The meeting recommended the Government to empower the CommoTlities Commission to determine wages and inquire into profits, with a view to regulating the prices in any industry. The congress carried a motion endorsing Senator Pearcc's opposition to conscription, and advocated an international understanding between the workers to render war impossible. It was resolved that no further war loans bearing interest ought to be raised, but that future war needs should be inised by compulsory pro rata contributions from the people whose incomes were £.')oo per annum and over. CONSCRIPTION URGED IN PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, May 11. The War Profits Bill is modelled on the British Act. In the House of Representatives Mr Cook asked for a referendum on conscription. Sir W. Irvine, in advocating conscription, said he did not think we would lose the war, but the danger of a premature peace was becoming greater every day. GERMAN REPLY TO AMERICA. CHANCELLOR'S STATEMENT. LIBERTY OF ACTION. BERNE, May 11. Dr von Bethmaun-Hollweg, in a secret debate in the Reichstag on the 7th inst., on the reply to the American Note, . admitted that the Government was strongly advised to inform America to mind her own business, but political considerations overcame patriotic zeal. An overwhelming majority of experts counselled prudence, as the advantages of unrestricted submarine warfare would not balance the disadvantages of war. A great error had been committed in overstating the value of the use of submarines against Great Britain. The navy officials no longer believed that it was possible to starve Britain, and it was folly to uuder-estimate the consequence of war with America. He possessed information that other nations would join America. The Government was convinced of the necessity of keeping peace. The reply was worded so as to reserve liberty of action. If the situation should change, they might cancel the concession to America and resume unrestricted sinking. The 'Chancellor's condemnation of over-estimating the submarines' efficiency was aimed at Admiral von Tirpitz. THE LATEST PEACE KITE. NO LNTEREST IN BRITAIN. ALLIES' IRREDUCIBLE TERMS. LONDON, May 10. The German Humanity League is circularising the European peace societies, declaring that it knows from a trustworthy source that the Kaiser sent an I aide-de-camp -with an autograph letter to his Holiness the Pope, urging the pontiff to seek King Alfonso's assistance to secure an armistice for the discussion of peace without detriment to the legitimate aspirations of nationalities. The league adds: "The failure cf German arms in France, with the stupendous sacrifices at Verdun, have greatly impressed the Vatican. Special envoys from the Kings of Bavaria and Saxony had a prolonged conference with Cardinal Gaspare! (I'ontificial Secretary of Stale). The league mentions that there are numerous signs of restlessness throughout Germany, but they are unworthy of much attention. The Vatican promptly destroyed the latest German peace manoeuvres. It u officially contradicted that the Pope telegraphed to the Kaiser or to President Wilson regarding peace negotiations. The Vatican authoritatively adds: "The Pope has taken no such step." The latest peace kite has not excited the slightest interest in Great Britain. It is realised that it is obviously insincere, and is the outcome of Germany's desire to win the sympathy of neutrals and delude the German people with the idea that they are fighting a defensive war. The Daily Mail restates the irreducible allied peace terms: "The evacuation of all allied territory; the surrender of Alsace and Lorraine; and an indemnity for damage done to allied property by bombardment and looting. The Mail adds: "The Allies cannot make peace while the German fleet remains at it» full strength,"