The Dominion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1914. AUSTRALIA IN WAR TIME

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2246, 4 September 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1914. AUSTRALIA IN WAR TIME

.. -— i Before the outbreak of the war the crisis _in Federal politics was monopolising public attention in Australia. The granting of the double dissolution was followed by a, strenuous election campaign, and wo were told that the contest: between the Liberal and Labour parties would be the most momentous political struggle in the history of the Commonwealth. Then camo the news that Britain had declared war on _ Germany, _ and _ forthwith the strife of parties dwindled' into insignificance. The war immediately' overshadowed all other interests. The safety o'f the Empire was at stake, and the greatest conflict the world has over known had commenced. _ In such circumstances a bitter political wrangle would not be tolerated by the public, and the leaders of both parties determined not to permit personal prejudices and party interests to hamper Australia in -doing its duty to the Empire. The Prime Minister (Mr.. Cook) assured the Imperial Government that the Commonwealth was prepared to place 20,000 soldiers at Britain's disposal. Mr. Fisher (the Labour leader) was quite as enthusiastic, and he declared that Australia was ready to support the Motherland to its last man and its last shilling. The whole was of the same opinion. The unifying effect of the war was wonderful. Party barriers were broken down, and by consent the Empire's need took precedence over all sectional considerations. Like the people of New Zealand the Australians are determined to make all the sacrifices necessary to secure the safety of the Empire. Public attention is centred on the war, and- defence has become one of the main issues in the Federal election campaign. "What is the election all about 1" asked a man in a Sydney tram. "Well, you see," replied his companion, "it's all about this 'ere wacr—who's to carry it on."

The raising and equipping of the Australian Expeditionary Force, the movements of the warships, and the collection of various war funds are tho principal matters that are now occupying 'the minds of the people of the Commonwealth. The war hals naturally directed attention to the merits of the defence system. At a time when the Empire is fighting for its life it does not require much argument to convince a community like Australia of 'the needfor a_ well-trained citizen army. Both political parties are claiming credit for the establishment of the Australian system. Mr. Fisher declares that Labour "made an army fit to tako the field and defend the country; it armed and equipped this army with up-to-date weapons." He also proudly relates how Labour engrafted "the system _ of universal training upon the civic life of the Commonwealth so that to-day Austral presents the spectacle of a nation in arms arrayed for her own defence." All this sounds very fine, and no doubt Australia is glad that such a system is in existence whoever established it; but Mr. Cook resolutely disputes Mr. Fisiier's claims. He emphatically declares that "tho Fisher Government has never passed a compulsory training scheme of any kind." He says the Liberal Government of 1909 passed such a schcme and he had the honour of introducing it into the House of Representatives on September 21, 1909. Mr. Cook does not, however, deny that the Labour Party had a hand in building up the sclicmc. The real fact is that the present svs,t<3m i 3 in existence because the

I of Australia as a whole thought that a citizen army and an Australian navy were desirable and were prepared to pay for them. It was the i will of tno people that established the defence system, and the politicians—Liberal or Labour—merely obeyed the dictates of' public opinion. It seems a pity that the defence question has been dragged into the party arena; It is a national matter, and should bo treated as such; but the Sydney Morning Herald tells its that the paramount question is: To which party shall Australia entrust the administration of its affairs during the war 1 That is the question before the electors, and the only one they are likely to give any thought to at this time. It is a national matter and should bs treated as such. The Federal and State Governments are facing the numerous problems whioh the war has raised in a firm and practical manner. The effect of the crisis on trade, tho food supply, unemployment, and similar questions are receiving urgent consideration. Australia realises that the resources of the Empire and the quality of its people will bo severely tested, but the country is facing,the situation in an optimistic spirit, quite confident that Britain will weather the present storm as successfully as she has weathered so many others in the long course of her national history.