THE NEW CONSCRIPTION REFERENDUM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 39, 9 November 1917, Page 5

THE NEW CONSCRIPTION REFERENDUM

STATEMENT BY ME. HUGHES. Melbourne, November 8. Mr. Hughes stated that tho referendum will not lie taken on tho lines of the last one, but upon a definite scheme, whioh will bo outlined on Monday next. Parliament will not meet, as tiro referendum will bo oonductod under tho powers conferred by the War Precautions Act. Tho polling day will probably be December 15.—Press Assn. [The voting at tho referendum taken last year in Australia resulted:—lfor consoription. 1,087,557, against 1,160,033. When the writs were returned a majority of 61,280 votes in favour of "No" was shown. Subsequently somo 17,000 additional votes Y<oro counted, of which approximately 14,000 were "No"' votes, and tho "No" majority was increased to 72.47 G. Prior to the voting much, bitterness was shown by tho contending factions. The success of tho oppononts of conscription was largely due to tho propaganda of tho I.W.W. and Laburitcs.]

DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE ANNOUNCEMENT. (November 8, 9.45 p.m.) Sydney, November 8. The Federal Cabinet's decision to resubmit the conscriptkm'issuo to a referendum, instead of taking direct Parliamentary action, camo as an undoubted disappointment to the majority of the electors, who consider that it will spell delay and jioSsible 'defeat. This disappointment is freoly expressed through the Press. Recent events have cronted a widely-voiced demand for decisive action and a readiness to follow a strong leadPress Assn.

1 POLLING DAY, DECEMBER 22., (Eec. November 8, 11.50 p.m.) Melbourne, November 8. The referendum polling day has been fixed for December 22.—Press A6sn.