The North Otago Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1916. AUSTRALIA'S DUTY.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13656, 26 August 1916, Page 4

The North Otago Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1916. AUSTRALIA'S DUTY.

W'hen Mr W. M: Hughes, after a triumphant' career through'Britain','returned to Australia,, recruiting was passing through a difficult phase, and a straightforward pronouncement by the Commonwealth Prime Minister oil the subject of conscription was regarded by the Australian press 'as very necessary. The leading newspapers throughout the country were unanimous in urging that, since enlistments were not satisfactory, it was time for the Federal Government to adopt compulsory measures and.prepare for them in the constitutional way. At the same time <a- section of the press which is not favourable to Labour expressed doubts as to whether Mr Hughes would not be influenced by the agitation in industrial circles against, conscription, even as the Federal Minister of Defence had obviously been influenced. It was evident that certain members of the Government were inclined to yield to the clamour emanating from their Labour supporters, and, with the position.-as indicated, Mr Hughes landed in Australia, began to open the iloodgates of his oratory, but studiously refrained from touching on the burning question of the hour,' Suspicion was aroused in many quarters as to whether Mr Hughes would take his courage in both hands and come out definitely for conscription, knowing, as he did, something of the needs of the.situation in Europe. The Federal! Prime Minister has not yet actually taken the plunge, but his slalemenl as concerning his own and Australia's duty, is a fairly broad hint that compulsion is not far off in the Commonwealth. Leading up to his most significant point, Mr Hughes, ad vised, liis audience that'' nothing justified, the belief that a decisive victory (Cor the Allies) was at. hand. The only way, he added, to secure victory was to pour more men .'into the.field, as the war could not be prolonged indefinitely, If is concluding remarks must carry a lot of significance for Australia 'n anlk'onci'riptibi'usls,' .'.'Our duty is clear," declared the Prime Minister. "Whatever is necessary will be done by the people of -Australia,. I. will, do .myduty, no matter whom I please-of dis-

lilcii-:r." Tlii'fl'. Ii" lir;H'i'. word - ti-wl il i i'l'iMiiiii:! for :\lr lliij'Jii'U In liunsluli! Iliciii inlu decdii, Tim l/iiliiiiir unions, however, the real arbiters of Mr Hughes' fortunes, are up in a nun against eonseription awl iitlerealinj.; d<*vclopmenls are expected. 'Die new phase of the struggle finds the oversea Dominions iu the position of having practically exhausted the men who volunteered for service without pressure, leaving that large body of eligiljles composed of the. selfish, the careless, and those .who need, persuading, to fill up the monthly drafts. Canada, as recently reported, is in no better case in this respect than Australia, and each country ia finding it increasingly difficult to keep up the supply of men for the front. In New Zealand the fact that the.Government has been empowered to use. compulsion when necessary has made for a steady stream of enlistments, but the time may be not distant ■when even New Zealand,will be forced into using some,measure ; of compulsion. The enrolment of. : the, first, and second division of 'reserves .is to be begun' shortly, and, with the register complete, the,way will ■be,■clear for < putting compulsion into force in districts which are'not doing "their-duty, by the reinforcements. "While 'Mr ( . Hughes' .may be exaggerating the situation ivhen he _ suggests that Germany,'after two years of war, is able to continue almost indefinitely, or until she.is thrown :out'of Poland, France, and Belgium, it ds wiser to take that view'than to indulge iu the foolish optimism, that .can. see the war ended in the next' few,months. Irideed, Colonel Kepington ; says some startling things this "morning. Anything that tends, to lull.-the people into, a comforting belief that because the.tide has turned against the,•Germans,their.eventual military downfall is necessarily in sight, is to.be deprecated.' It is most important that there should be no relaxation'of effort now,that tlis enemy, has.been thrown on .the defensive, Mr Hughes need not be takdir literally when lie says that Gergreat, strength has not been sapped;by two years of. bloody and ..ceaseless;,warring on extended fronts. •What he really means, no doubt, is that 'Germany!is I 'still,'a hard nut to crack, and.this theory is supported by recent events in,the Eastern and the Western theatres. An;ever-increasing supply of 'reserves; guns of all calibres, and munitions' is the only way by which the ene-■my.can.be•-crashed,.anil Australia, as With'her sister-nations, must see to it that she does not fail at the crucial '.moment. And it can be taken for granted that Australia will do her, part if her leaders will do theirs.