Conscription

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 November 1915, Page 3

Conscription

■ PARLIAMENT MAY MEET TO DISCUSS MATTERS. Conscription is in the air, and it is quite possible that Parliament may te called together to discuss the matter. "If," said the Prime Minister, "such a contingency should bo considered necessary in tho interests of the Empire, 1 should not have the slightest hesitation in proposing it. But I sliould bo very sorry to do so, the system being quite opposed to British instincts and traditions. There is no question that one volunteer is worth many pressed men. No conscripts could bo relied upon to do the wonderful work which evoked the heroes of Gallipoli. I sincerely hope that we shall not have to resort to conscription to sheet home the lesson to the Germans which we have undertaken in the interests of justice and common humanity." Tho Minister for Defence in the South has taken the stand that if volunteering does not fill the ranks conscription will be resorted to. In both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence will find the support of almost unanimous public opinion. The war has to he fought and won ; tho mon at the front must not lack support becase men in tho Dominion find reasons for leaving volunteering to others.— Foxton Herald.