THE BILL EXPLAINED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2522, 24 July 1915, Page 10

THE BILL EXPLAINED

SACRIFICES MUST FALL EQUALLY ON ALL.

Tho second reading of tho Bill was moved in the House of Representatives by tho Attorney-General (Mr. Hughes). He pointed out that the Bill was for the purpose of ascertaining the resources and men of the country. It was an attempt to organise the resources of the Commonwealth, both as regards wealth and men. Tlio measure did not contemplate, nor was any measure necessary for, conscription; that was to say, so far as conscription was necessary for tho defenco of Australia. Every power necessary for conscription was provided in the Defenco Act. Ho wished to state that definitely at the outset, because there was in the minds of many—and to some it had becomo a fear —lest tho Government should resort to tho method _ of fighting which was altogether foreign to tho spirit which had distinguished the British nation for many hundred years. Tlio measure must be regarded as the means whereby they must wage tho conflict as it existed at present. Their condition was serious enough now, but there was 110 need to contemplate anything worse. The measure contemplated the organisation of forces to enable' them to carry out the present conflict by voluntary service. Every man who went to the front cost about 255. a day, and the five million people of Australia would have to boar, the cost of keeping 100,000 men at tho front. There was only one way to meet the situation, and that was by the, - organisation of_ the resources of Australia. The Bill dealt with not only men, but with wealth. Tho wal callcd for sacrifices, but the sacrifices must fall equally on all.. There was the sacrifice of life, which every man if he was physically fit and volunteered must bo prepared to risk, and thero wero sacrifices of wealth. It was abundantly clear that those who have wealth would be called upon to make sacrifices which in ordinary times they would not be called upon to make. Continuing, Mr.' Hughes pointed out that there must bo dispatch, expedition, and speed in regard to the census, and. 110 matter how much it cost, it would have to be rushed on with. They proposed to make'tho post offices of tho country the medium of collecting the census.K ; Itw as proposed to' send out cards, which would havo to be filled in. There would bo two cards, one for personal service, and one for wealth, flis personal card would apply to all males between 18 and 60, and tho wealth card to all men and women over 18 years. It would be npcessary for all oitizens to get the cards, fill them in, and post them. They would bo callcd upon, to go to tho post office and fill them in. There was to be no excuse if they were not delivered to them. The time given would bo seven days. Mr. Cook: What, is tho immediate object in view with regard to the wealth statistics?

Mr. Hughes: The object was to find out what their resources were so that they should kiiow how tlioy could keep tho fighting line, up to proper strength. That could not be done unless _ they called upon wealth to make sacrifices. Every man should make a sacrifice. If he had wealth he should give that; if he had only his hody he should give that; and if he had wealth, and body he should give both. The Government would welcome any suggestions to improve the measure, and members could help by going into their electorates and impressing upon the people the necessity of sending in their returns promptly. ■ Sir William Irvino (Victoria) said that every man must now recognise that everything he owned was only held in security for the whole of the community. Tho wealth consns would _ take longer to take than was _ anticipated. Ho was certain that the time had, not vet come for conscription, but lie 'was sure that the time was ripe when the Government should bo in a position to be able to. approach, the men personally and individually who were eligible and ask them to enrol if necessary. Many of the men who went now wore young men with families and youths of 18. No youth between 18 and 20 . should be allowed to engage in a winter campaign until tho stronger and more suitable men had been depleted. This scheme would enable the Government to know who wero. the best able to go to the front. He urged the Government to avail itself of the volunteers who wore offering to do clerical work in regard to the census. He thought that within the next month or so 50,000 men would como forward to volunteer for tho front. Before t'lieso mon wero sent on a hard campaign steps should be taken to lay before many others whose duty it was to go before these the fact that they were .wanted. Mr. Page: Isn't that conscription? Sir William Irvine: No; you would simply define a man's duty to him, and let his conscience do the rest. Mr. Higgs (Q.) advocated, the,immediate imposition of. a war tax on incomes* , . , The debate was adojurned' at 10.20 p.m., till next day.