COMPULSION ISSUE IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2866, 2 September 1916, Page 9

COMPULSION ISSUE IN AUSTRALIA

REFERENDUM NEXT:MONTH Zealand Cable Association, j (Rec. September. 1, 9.15 p.m.) . Melbourne, September 1. ! In tbe-Housc, Mr. Buglies, examin-;j ing the Government's proposals to as-, ccrtain whether they were adequate, said: "Britain has now told us in plain words-what she expected us to do. If the proposals are "inadequate, they ough't-unaftmously to be rejected." Ho considered they were . adequate. Mr. Hughes computed that the troops at present available in camp here , were iii England -44,511,- en routo 15,000. -Allowing for wastage,-the ab--sorption of the reinforcements at-the present rate would ■ leave only three thousand men in Em»land at the end of 'January. ' '.The' Government's proposals provide new men here at the same.rate as. they are depleted in EngMr. Hughes emphatically insisted'' that,the referendum.was the.best and. speediest method. The only alternative would have been an election, which ■-might have led- to chaos. beiieves 'the peoplo will' carry conscription by an overwhelming majority. If the people fail, then God help AustraUa-."'' Mr. Hughes, continuing, sata:— it it could be assumed thai, the war would end-.iff :Deeember, then_the presont position would be satisfactory, but it would be criminal folly to assume any such thing. It would' be better to. be prepared for another year ofi war. Our clear duty was to provide 32,000 inch, in September,'and 16,500 -monthly, thereafter. The total required, to the 1 ttnd of March would he 131,500.

The debate Tvas adjourn'ed... 'Mr. Hughes later annoiinced that soldiers over twenty-one years of age in**]?rajnceV: Egypt: 'RabauV'aml # elsewhore.. would", be afforded facilities .to. vote:on October 28, wheiv the referen* dum would be taken whatever happens, the .writs to issue on September 18.. No. naturalised enemy subjcct will be permitted .to-exercise the franchise. In tlie Senate, Mr. Pearce, .Defenco Minister, defended.the referendum proposals, adding: "The Government drijs not want to exercise compulsion. \\e are against it. If the voluntary system' provides' tlie necessary number, ■ the Government-will not resort to compulsion. : With the exception of' the cable message just received from the Army. Council, tho Imperial Government never asked Australia for men. Even now we arc not asked to increase' our military assistance, hut- having brought certain units into the field, we • are asked to keep them at full strength.