AUSTRALIAN REINFORCEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 16716, 24 April 1918, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN REINFORCEMENTS.

RECRUITING CONFERENCE RESULTS MERELY A RESOLUTION. LABOR’S SWEEPING DEMANDS. Frets Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE, April 24. The report of the recent Governoy-Qen-oral’s recruiting conference shows that Mr Tndor (Leader of the Anti-Conscription Federal Labor party) submitted a statement to the conference embodying the conditions upon which, in the opinion of those associated with him, the harmony of the community depended. These included a definite pronouncement that the Government had finally abandoned Conscription ; that there should bo no economic conscription ; the registration of deregistered trade unions, and the restoration of unions to their former status; the restoration of victimised unionists to their employment; the abolition of bogus trade unions and bureaux; the repeal of all the War Precautions Act regulations not vital to the conduct of the war; the abolition of the Press censorship and the limitations on free speech, except relating to military news of advantage to the enemy; the immediate release of all persons not guilty of criminal offences, hut imprisoned in connection with Conscription, peace propaganda, and recruiting, and tne recent industrial troubles; the refund of fines and costs imposed in connection with industrial and political prosecutions during the war period ; and that immediate and effective steps bo taken to protect soldiers’ dependents and the public against profiteering. Mr W. Hughes submitted replies, declaring that voluntaryism had been nailed to the mast, and would remain so; that the Government and the employers’ representatives had agreed that there should be no economic conscription. With regard to Mr Tudor's other demands, he agreed to meet them as far as practicable. After several resolutions had been discussed and rejected, the conference adopted tbe following resolution unanimously : That this conference, meeting in a time of unparalleled emergency, resolve to make all possible efforts to avert defeat at the hands of German militarism, and urge the people of Australia to unite in a whole-hearted effort to secure the necessary reinforcements under the voluntary scheme. PRESSURE BY EMPLOYERS. ATTEMPT AT EXPLANATION. SYDNEY. April 24. (Received April 24, at 10.40 a.m.) In connection with firms dispensing with the services of single eligible men, the president of the Employers’ Federation states that the federations throughout the Commonwealth have agreed that there is to bo no economic conscription. As Conscription has been defeated at tho Referendum, it is considered to be not desirable or right that employers should attempt to enforce a-nv form of Conscription amongst their employees. At the same time employers are urged by the federation to give every possible encouragement to their employees to enlist. HIS LAST FLUTTER. LONDON, April 23. (Received April 24, at 10.50 a.m.) Baron Richthofen was taking part in socalled ’’ circles,’’ comprising 30 lighting scouts, who had a roving commission to cuts off British aviators during finch attacks as that on the Somme. Yesterday Richthofen was seen flying 150 ft above the ground. Then his machine suddenly crashed to earth, and it was found that ho was shot through tho heart. LIEUTENANT A. E. ESQUILANT. Lieutenant A. K. Ksquilant. who has been awarded the Military Cross, left New Zealand on August 30, 1915, as a sergeant attached to the New Zealand Field Artillery, and received his commission alter reaching England. He was wounded at the battle of Messines. Previous to enlisting Lieutenant Ksquilant held the position as chief clerk in the Invercargill branch of the Standard Insurance Company. His brother. Private Eric Esquilant, was killed while in action at tho taking of Messines. Word has been received that Trooper ,1. Stuart Barr, recently wounded in Palestine, will leave shortly for New Zealand.