ANTI-CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9514, 23 November 1916, Page 3

ANTI-CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA

A. NEW ZEALANDER’S VIEW. In reference to tlie interview with Mr Semple, reported in yesterday’s it is interesting to note the views of a well-known Wellington lady upon the subject. “Australia,” sho says, “has for several years invited indiscriminately all sorts of foreigners to settle there. Tim f-esult is the same as in England. Largo numbers of malcontents are bent upon stirring up trouble at all costs, and, threaten to do everything to defeat recruiting, even if it means delaying troopships by dearth of coal. . “These people are excessively violent. and do not represent Australia. Less violent people are those who are apt to bo easily persuaded, coloured labour is a bogey to these people, which is being, systematically exploited by public speakers. Workers are told that if they leave Australia coloured labour will have to be cmP k“ Again, women, who have worked tirelessly for tire benefit of soldiers’ wrfes, have been depressed by the attitude of the latter, who reiterate that they ‘must protect their honour.’ This erv, it appears, is repeated on all sides. This clinging to the union is in many cases sd extreme that one worker, when asked what he would do incase of Germanic conquest, replied; ‘Put it before the union.' ”