THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1019, 12 November 1917, Page 5

THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE.

AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION. (By Electric Tblegraph—Copyright.) (Phr Press Association.) ! Ausfcr&liAn-Wew /.oatanct Uaoie Assooiation. i SYDNEY, Nor. 11. Tho conscription issue is seriously embarrassing the State Ministry owing to their pledge not to support the question. The free Nationalists are readyto resign. Mr Molniau lias gone to Melbourne to endeavour to induce Mr Hughes to reconsider the referendum decision, substituting an appeal to the country on a Conscription Bill. MELBOURNE, Nov. 11. The referendum question will take the form, "Are you in favour ol the proposal of the Commonwealth Government for reinforcing the Australian and Imperial forces overseas." j PLAIN SPEAKING BY SIR WILLIAM IRVINE. i Australian-New Zealand Cable £f*ooiation. Received November V2, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 12. ■ ! Although details of the Government's conscription policy are withheld until Mr Hughes makes his announcement at Bendigo tonight, it is understood the proposal provides for the continuance, of voluntary enlistment, meeting ■ the deficiency in the monthly quotas by ; compulsory ballot. i There has been some very plain speak- ' iiiß on the present war situation during; ■ the past few days. Sir William Irvine, addressing a huge meeting in the Town Hall, did not mince matters. The • meeting favoured the adoption of con- . scription, but urged the Government to reconsider the referendum proposal and 3 appeal to the country, or, if the refer- • endum was adhered to, the Government should stand or fall by the result. A CLEAN, SWEEP. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. MELBOURNE, Nov. 12. 1 Disqualification from voting at the '• referendum applies to all naturalised 1 enemy subjects and persons whose fathers were born in an enemy couni l "' MELBOURNE, Nov. 12. 1 Australian casualties to date total o 114,747. including 35,102 dead, 48,897 s wounded, and 25,817 sick. o I . sssss '■ ' -m„ :.,n..i„j „.„,. ,„.:„„,,