CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 25 October 1916, Page 6

CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA.

So far Australia has sent 220,000 men to fignt tor the Empire and Has 3-1,000 in camp; but 32,000 more are required for immediate training, while' e^luh month from now onward 16,500 recruits must be got. It is a' task from which Australia (to quote the words of Mr 'Hughes, the .Prime Minister) "ought not, must not, dare not (shrink.'""-j^ -'-the people have been exhorted" l?y him ''to sweep aside the mists of indilrerence, ■ error, and mis- > understanding, and face the great realities of the hour. On!1 the 28th. of this month the electors of Australia will be asked this momentous question: "Are you in favor of the Government having in this grave emergency the same compulsory powers over, citizens .in regard to requiring their military services for the term of the war outside the Commonwealth as they now have in regard to military service within the Commonwealtn ?" Upon the answer depends the honor of Australia. "Were Australia to fail on October - 28/' says Mr Hughes in his manifesto to the people,' "Democracy-and !Cabor would have failed. But Australia must not fail. In the name of Australian Democracy I adjure every man find woman in the Commonwealth to a ote "Yes." Mr Hughes' words are (*sys a contemporary) as fire to frozen hearts: • This is a war to the death, a fight . to the finish. The future of Australia and the hopes of Australian Democracy hang upon victory. • We are called upon to do our share in the 'great offensive against the enemy. We are not called upon to do more than our share, but ,our share we must do. . . .. We muss supply the men asked for. 1 It is the price we are asked to pay for our national existence and our liberties. We must get the men. If voluntaryism fails, is the nation to ! fall where to 'fail is to pei'ish? No

patriot can deny the necessity of rein-forcements—v-no Democrat can,, impugn the. right of the natiori\tb demand this duty from its citizens. Democracy and nationalism are one. The supreme duty, which a Democrat owes to his country is to fight for it.