CONSCRIPTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1467, 2 November 1915, Page 2

CONSCRIPTION.

PARLIAMENT MAY MEET TO DISCUSS MATTER.

Conscription is In the air, and it is quite possible that Parliament may he called together earlier than usual to discuss the matter.

“11,” said the Prime Minister yesterday, “such a contingency should he considered necessary in the interests of the Empire, 1 should not have !De slightest hesitation in proposing it. But I should he very sony lo do so, the system being quite opposed to British instincts and traditious. There is no question that one volunteer is worth many pressed men. No conscripts could be 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.'’ The Minister for Defence in the South has taken the stand that if volunteering does not fill the ranks conscription will be resorted to. In this both the Prime Minister and the Minister tor Defence will find the support of almost unanimous public opinion. The war has to be fought out and won ; the men at the front must not lack support because the men left in the Dominion find reasons lor leaving volunteering to others.