THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16561, 9 June 1917, Page 7

THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE.

OPPOSITION IN CANADA.

COALITION PLAN FAILS. A. and N.Z. Cable. OTTAWA, June 7.

The negotiations between the- Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden, and the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, for the formation of a Coalition Government have failed. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was unable to co-operate, since conscription was announced before the coalition proposals were made.

Sir Robert Borden announced to Parliament the failure of the negotiations, and read correspondence, in which Sir Wilfrid Laurier explained that he was unable to agree to proposals which comprised the formation of a coalition and the passage of a Conscription Bill, followed by an appeal for the country's sanction.

Members did not comment on the statement, but cheered Sir Robert Borden. It is likely that a split in the Liberals will follow, a large section being favourable to conscription.

IMMEDIATE LEGISLATION. (Received 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, June 7.

Deep disappointment is expressed at the failure of the coalition negotiations. The Government proposes the immediate introduction of a Conscription Bill.

AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE.

QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT.

SYDNEY. June 8. The Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph says that in Federal political circles it is considered practically certain that the question of submitting another conscription referendum will be raised when Parliament meets.

In a speech in Melbourne, appealing for recruits, on May 30, the Postmaster-Gen-eral, Mr. W. Webster, said he favoured conscription as the fairest way of raising the men, but the voice of the people had been given against that method. If the volunteers came forward there would be no further appeal to the people, but if Australia was so dead to her responsibilities as to fail to supply the necessary men he was willing to go further, for Australia must be saved at all hazards.