CONSCRIPTION

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 40, 16 August 1916, Page 3

CONSCRIPTION

WILL IT BE INTRODUCED IN

AUSTRALIA ?

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 10th August.

Two aspects of the big conscription question, which are being much debated pending the definite pronouncement by 'the Prime Minister, are the possibility of a referendum, arid the prospectß of a split in the Labour party if Mr. Hughes should declare for conscription. Discussion as to whether a referendum is likely to be resorted to is baEed largely .on the known disposition of some politicians to refer all awkward matters to the people themselves, and partly upon suggestions thrown out by pressmen who were in close touch with Mr. Hughes on the Fremantle to Melbourne stage of his homeward journey To these suggestions, or hints, has been added the assertion, which has not been contradicted by Mr. Hughes, that he has in private indicated that he personally favours conscription. Mr. Hughes has at any rate said and repeated that the people of Australia must be prepared to make sacrifices, and there is a pretty general belief that what he means are the sacrifices involved in a system of compulsory national service. That politicians take this view is indicated by the fact that at the civic reception to Mr. Hughes in Melbourne Sir William Irvine, who is looked upon by Victorians as practically the leader of the Federal Liberal Party, said : "If Mr. Hughes will give effect to the sentiments expressed in Great Britain, and carry out those tilings which in his speeches at Home electriGed and thrilled Europe, ho will find me one of the most loyal supporters standing behind him." Other prominent Liberals avow the same attitude.

As you know already the official sections of the political Labour organisations of New South Wales and Victoria are very strongly anti-conscriptionist. The talk about Mr. Hughes's present proconscription'views is said to have caused a big stir, and it is stated that an antiHughes and anti-conscription campaign of a determined character is about to be launched. The crisis has been precipitated by the action of 'the Minister for Defence, Senator Pearce, in authorising the seizure of pamphlets printed in connection with, the recent Interstate AntiConscription Congress of Trades Unions. If Mr. Hughes declares boldly for conscription he will carry with him a strong following of Ministers and members ot the Commonwealth Labour Party, and another section of Ministers and members is certain to decide that it has more to gain by sticking to the outside Labour organisations, and will, break away from Mr Hughes and claim to be the real true blue Labour Party. This development seems quite possible. However, some people, guided by past experience, are asking whether it is not likely that when it comes to a pinch it will neb again be a case of the leader of the Labour Party placing party solidarity first and leaving the issue to the decision of a majority in the party caucus.

Broken Hill continues to be the scene of lively ferment on the conscription question. The A.M.A., which is the .dominating organisation in that home of "advanced" unionism, has declared most emphatically against conscription Its position in this rega-rd was confirmed at a meeting held on Sunday night. At this meeting most hearty indignation was expressed at the conduct of a crowd which had on Friday night broke up an anti-conscription meeting attempted to be held in the main street. The crowd finished up by wrecking with stones all the windows at the I.W.W Hall.