The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1918. THE AUSTRALIAN TANGLE
The one fact which stands out clearly from the general obscurity of Australian Commonwealth politics is that, although Mr. Hughes and his supporters havo in a fashion overcome their immediate difficulties, they have not visibly approached a solution of the main problem, which is that of providing reinforcements for the Australian divisions in France. As the sequel to a resignation which now appears as little more than a formality, the National Government fs back in office supported by such a following in House and Senate that Mk. Tubor's motion of want of confidence cannot be regarded as of serious importance. But though the Government has a big majority, it is bereft for the time being of the authority which would enable it to institute a sound recruiting policy. Matters cannot be left in this state unless it is assumed that Australia has decided to abandon its soldiers in the field. As a brief retrospect will clearly show, tho situation imperatively demands a vigorous exercise of initiative by the National Government. In the opening days of the last referendum campaign, Mr. Hughes stated at Bendigo that without the power to impose compulsory military service the Government would not, and could not, attempt to go on governing. The difficulties of the existing situation are enhanced by the fact that at the last general election Mr. Hughes promised that conscription would not be introduced except by the will oi the people. The Sydno.y Daily Telegraph quotes him as saying at Bcnallii, during the election campaign, that "We shall not, by statute or regulation, enforce conscription during the life of the forthcoming Parliament.' , It wasin ostensible fulfilment of tho Bendigo pledge that Mr. Hughes placed his resignation in the hands of the Governor-General when the result of the referendum campaign became known. To what extent and in what manner the earlier pledge will influence his actions has yet to bo seen. It is obvious that the momentary departure of the National Government from office and its immediate resumption of office without change of personnel arc not in any real sense a fulfilment of the explicit assurance that it would not consent to govern if denied power to enforce compulsory military service. It would appear, however, that Mr. Hughes and his colleagues
aro supported in the line uic action they havo taken by an overwhelming majority of their composite party. According to the Australian papers, only two members out of C!i at a National Party meeting opposed a vote of confidence in Mr.; Hughes, as leader, and at a later meeting only eleven members (one report says nine) out of (39 opposed a motion requesting him to accept tho GovERNOR-GE2JEKAi, e s commission to again form a Government.
It is impossible to applaud tho easy standards of politica l morality which ruled it. these transactions, but criticism ha? been weakened by the fact that there is no obvious alternative to the National Government. The anti-conscription party, led by Mr. Tudor, is ineligible for office on account of its weakness in both Houses of Parliament, and though the fusion of the anticonscriptionists with the National Party and tho formation of a Government representing all parties has been discussed—it is said that at one stage of the recent crisis such a project seriously considered by tho National Party—it seems to be Quite impracticable and also undesirable. It has been suggested that, at the instance of the Governor-General, the leaders of tho National Party actually made overtures to Mr. Tudor ancl'his colleagues with a view to coalition, and that these overtures were rejected. Whether this is so or not there are manifest grounds for holding that such an alliance would oppose further impediments to the win-the-war policy the National Party was formed to promote. The anti-conscrip-tion party has yet to produce proofs that it has any other object than toopposo a, strong war policy. Certainly no such proofs are afforded in its proposals relating to recruiting. These, according to Mr. Arthur Rae, Tress representative of the no-conscription campaign," aro briefly as follow': (1) Vrank all ,l coniplole. abandonment (it cons«rr,,(i on f or Australia now, lieneoinrtn, n; fl J f or cver . (2) absolute provon'tlon,oF wnr profiteering; (3) all future ™~A' loans free, and a. more equitable contribution of wealth towards the expenses of tlio war; H) bringing of soldiers' pay, pensions, and separation 'uiowancis, etc., to tlic 6amo vnluo in purchasing power ne at the outbreak of tho wnr.
These proposals can only be regarded as an attempt to create excuses for opposing an effective war policy by raising impossible demands and by insisting upon the perfect solution of problems which have nowhero been perfectly solved. If any doubt existed on the point it would be resolved by the further observation of tho official mentioned that, "Of course, very much more is required, But theso would do for a commencement."
Much as Mr. Hughes and his col-1 leagues are open to criticism, it is evident that there is no party in sight which has any title k> succeed them in office. But it is equally clear that by resorting to a drifting policy tho National Government and its supporters would incur open dishonour. Apparently the only honourable way of escape from the existing predicament, and tho only | method consistent with such a policy as tho war demands, is ■ that the Government should seek a dissolution and appeal to tho electors for authority to enforce conscription by Act of Parliament. This, in essentials, is the courso advocated by Sir Willi aji Irvine, if ho is correctly reported in an unofficial account of a recent National Party meeting. Ho is reported to • have said on that occasion that tho proper course was for Mb. Hughes to resign and for Mr. Tkmub to be given the opportunity of forming a, Ministry. If Mi:. Tudoe could not carry on, then a general election should bo held, with the present Ministerial party pledged to conscription. Publicly Sir. William Irvine has stated that the question of his support of the Ministry will be dependent entirely upon its policy with regard to recruiting. Up to the present Mr. Hughes has given no other indication of tho policy he intends to adopt than in a statement that some changes will be made in the Ministry in tho near future. He may make the present no-confidence debate the occasion of a policy statement, but it seems to be self-evident that the only policy consistent with self-respect and with a duo regard for the interests of Australia and its obligations in the war is to proceed to a general election. There aro rumours that an appeal to the coiintry is contemplated, and they receive some colour from the fact that Sir William Irvine and those who think with him are still supporting the Government, but definite information on the subject is for the moment withhold.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 96, 16 January 1918, Page 6
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1,157The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1918. THE AUSTRALIAN TANGLE Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 96, 16 January 1918, Page 6
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