AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1918, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.]

EMPLOYERS’ ATTITUDE

j (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) j SYDNEY, This Day. i In connection with the firms dispensing the services of singlo eligibles, tlw President of the Employers’ Federation states the Federations throughout the Commonwealth have agreed that there is to be no economic conscription, as . conscription has been defeated, and it i„ considered not desirable or right, that employers should attempt to enforce a form of conscription ampngst their employees. At the same time, employers are urged to give every possible encouragement to tlieir employees to enlist.

RECRUITING CONFERENCE.

RESOLUTIONS AGREED TO. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.; | MELBOURNE, This Day. | The report of the recent GovernorGeneral’s Recruiting Conference shows Mr Tudor submitted a statement om-

bodying conditions upon which, in the opinion of those associated with him,

■ ! the harmony of the community depended. These included a definite pro- | nouncement that Government had finally abandoned conscription, but registra- , tion of dc-registered unions and restorj ation of victimised unionists to their | employment, fihe 'abolition of bogus unions and a bureau, tho ropeal of an j War Precautions Regulations not vital to the conduct of the war, the abolition of tho press censorship and limitations I on free speech, except relating to mili- ! tary news of advantage to the enemy; ; the immediate release of all persons not ! guilty of criminal offences imprisoned jin collection with conscription, peace propaganda, recruiting and recent industrial troubles; the refund of fines and costs in connection with industrial and political prosecutions during the war period; immediate and effective steps to protect soldiers’ dependents and til© public against profiteering. Hon. Mr Hughes submitted replies, ’ declaring that voluntaryism had been nailed to the mast, and would remain. The Government, and employers’ representatives agreed there should be no economic conscription, and with regard to other demands he agreed to meet them as far as practicable. After several resolutions were discussed and rejected, the Conference adopted the following' unanimously:—“ That the Conference meeting in a time of unparalleled emergency resolves to make all possible efforts to avert defeat at the hands of German militarism, and urges the people of'Australia to finite in a whole-hearted effort to secure the necessary reinforcements under the voluntary system.’’ A USEFUL CONTRACT. (Received T k-"* Dor,nt 11.25. a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 24. Mr. Hughes has announced that a contract has been arranged with the British Government whereby practically the whole of the zinc concentrates produced in Australia during the period of the war and ten years alter will be purchased by the Imperial Government.