WAR ISSUES
j CITIZENS' COMMITTEE FORMED TO EDUCATE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC An influential organisation bus been formed in .Melbourne, known as tho cicizwis committee, which will probably extaud its propaganda work throughout Australia, witii tho object of reviviii" the war spirit oi' tho nation. A large and representative deputation waited upoa the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr. Watt), ami urged that the Federal Oovernmont should. support the movement, whic'li hopes to create in the minds ot the people a truo realisation of tho position of Australia and the war. Tho deputation included nine professors from the Melbourne University, a large number of medical practitioners, the Mayors ot .Melbourne and suburbs, prrs nts of various .associations, and representatives ot other organisations. Dr. J. H. Jlactorland, Chancellor of the Melbourne "University, pointed out that the deputation did not represent any political, religious, or social objects, out claimed that they wero citizens doubly interested in the welfare of tho country. Their object was to ask thu Uvernmeut to support an organised propaganda ou the issue of the war as it affected the Empire generally and the Commonwealth in particular. All men and women in Australia ought to have every opportunity of knowing what Australia was fighting for, and what tho terrible consequences of a defeat would be. A fuller knowledge of the war should bo given to citizens. The chancellors of universities iiv other States wero heart and soul jn the movement. Mr. Archibald Strong said that thero were indications throughout Australia of tho most disquieting kind, and that tho issues of this great war wero not fully understood. They believed that if they could get a campaign of national educators in regard to peace and war, and have-the position put fairly nnd squarely \ before tho people, there would not 1» disquieting beliefs. Thoy meroly wished to offer themselves as educators in t'he great work of educating the public on that vital issue. They suggested that literature should bo prepared and circuited as pamplileta and leaflets' to every household in Australia. Greater uso could be made of tho platform, and they proposed to hold meetings all ovor Australia. They would use such places as tho Domain, in Sydney, and Yarra bank oi Melbourne. Speakers would be properly trained to give tho truo. arguments of the caso. They proposed to address meetings on Sunday nights in theatres or other large buildings in tho principal cities of the Commonwealth where the true position would be put betoro the people. They recommended tho appointment of a directorate of three mon, who should bo chosen for their organising nnd educational qualifications. Iheso men should visit the different states and form organisations for carrying out tho work. This was a national matter, and those men should have a free hand in the framing of policy. They should not bo controlled when they woro appointed by anyone in tho Government or any party. Above all things, the wholo tendency should be to take, tho broad national view, and he dissociated from any party, sect, or creed. They intended to depend on honorary help, and niako that one of the cardinal principles of the whole proposal. - M ';-. J n A, I>te, Director of Education in \ictoria, said that thero was an uneasy and disquieting lack of interest in tho war. Differences and bitternesses were now moro acute than ever; that should bo stopped. Ho'believed that tho heart of tho people of Australia was Jhoroughly sound in this war, at tho same time tho faith and enthusiasm of foma people wero perishinp for lack of lntormntion and imagination. Mr. Watt, in reply, said that ho had never received a'deputation in which ho had such complete concurrence with their ideas and suggestions. Conditions in Australia during tho last twelve months had been causing much moro apprehension to ftoso responsible for. the control of affairs than they knew. Some of the Jinusters in their public utterances had occasion to show what they thought of tho developments that were taking placo lo look tho view that the. community should bo approached in a . spirit, of conciliation and education. He believed it was time that they endeavoured to march pack to where they wero in 19H if that was what the deputation meant, tho Government would give them support. Iho Government, however, could only givo its approval, whether it was in the launching, supporting, or financing of the scheme, on condition that it would not bo a party movement. There had been growing in Australia for a long tinio a lamentable view that the .Government .was something thai existed for its own sake. The Government was the nation, and particularly in times of war it had no right to bo anything eiso.> Ho was prepared to say to his colleagues that if that was'the spirit in which the deputation viewed tho matter thev ought to have no hesitation in asking 'Parliament tor help for a properlv governed movement for. re-educating the people m this war. In conclusion, Mr. Watt said that what he called "the Bolshevik" had had all his own way lately.. If the members ot the deputation were prepared to tram their speakers, spread thoir literature, and go down to the Yarra bank of Melbourne and the Domain of Sydney he would say "God bless- you"; the Government would help them. He would submit, the matter to the Cabinet, and let thein know the decision. without demy. Now was tho. time to start their work; ho thought th'e.na.Mon badly needed it, and could not get the same services trom any other body of people.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 282, 17 August 1918, Page 9
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928WAR ISSUES Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 282, 17 August 1918, Page 9
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