CONSCRIPTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2576, 25 September 1915, Page 5

CONSCRIPTION

'I FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER DRAWN i

REPLIES TO SPECIFIC i QUESTION ' j By TclcKtapli—Preea Association—Copyist I .(Rec. September 24, 10.2i> p.m.)' , j Melbourne, September 24. 1 'K deputation from the Trades Hall i Council asked Mr. Fislior (tlie Federal ' ■> Premier), to make a public announce*" i menfc regarding his attitude, and the- " i attitudo of the Federal Government re- i garding conscription. ' • Mr. Fisher, replying, said: "You ; wanted a private conversation, : and \I ; declined. This is a public question, ; ,l ] and tho only person who can announce j that policy is myself or somebody in i my place." He added: "I am irrovoc- . . | ably opposed to conscription: I have not discussed it with my colleagues, and • ,] lam sure 1 speak for them when. I say, • i that no Bill will be introduced into Par- j lament before those to whom we'.owe »■. our positions have been given an oppor-! . ;; tunity of expressing tflieir opinion." Ha ? would make the necessary- announcement on the question, at the proper \ time. Conscription -would .not be i brought about by anything said at n ■■■'<. public meeting. Tho only question the <j deputation need ask was: "Is it the in- j tention of the Government to introduce a Conscription Bill?" The leader,of tho deputation: "Theiii wo ask it that way." Mr. Fisher replied: "No."- ■ v