AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1917, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE. AN ANZAC PROMISE. j /Received This Dev at 12.25. p.in.) 1 MELBOURNE, This Day. ( Mr. Pearce has announced that if the referendum is carried, it would remove one of the difficulties of granting leave to the original Anzacs. , Provided that other difficulties could be | surmounted government would endeav- | our to bring the men back. | MR. HUGHES HUSTLED. j (Received This Day at 12.25. p.mJ BRISBANE This Day. High feeling ha s been aroused over , the Conscription issue, which culminated i n riotous scenes and warring, eggs ■were thrown and a free fight. Mr. Hughes was assaulted and hustled. It is alleged that the police ignored tho requests to arrest the ringleaders stating they only recognised Queensland laws, and would not act on any .other. The demonstration only subsided when Mr. Hughes had do- j parted in a train. Speaking at Toowoomba, Mr. Hughes stated that under the proposed scheme no man called up would he sent out of Australia until he had attained the age of twenty one. A CHARGE DENIED. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.l BRISBANE- (November Mr. Hughes, speaking at Toowoomba referred to the statement allegedly made by by Mr. Finlayson a member of the Federal House, that a cable had been received from General Bird wood by Government urging the need of reinforcements, was inspired for campaign purposes. Mr. Hughes denied that the cable 1 was inspired. He announced that un- * der the regulations of the War Pre--1 cautions Act, which made it an offence 3 to Cnako false statements, he (had 1 given instructions for prosecution of 3 Mr. Finlayson. I THE religious elements.

(Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) | SYDNEY, This Day. Unfortunately Yfie" cross currents of sectarianism are becoming an increasing element in the conscription campaign, causing much heart burning and beclouding tine main issue throughout the Commonwealth Both parties are new in full force in the field and the fight waxes warmer as it proceeds. A noticeable feature is the lack of leaflets will. which the electors were in undated at- the last referendum. Meantime, voluntary recruiting proceeds steadily.