The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1917 AUSTRALIA AND CONSCRIPTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 332, 23 November 1917, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1917 AUSTRALIA AND CONSCRIPTION.

" We nothing extenuate, nor set down auaht in malice."

Within a few weeks the people of Australia will be called upon to face a second referendum on the question of conscription. In terras of the announcement made early this month, the Federal Government, in view of the increased gravity of the military situation, and being satisfied that the voluntary system of recruiting has proved itself inadequate to reinforce the armies at the frost, has decided to ask the people for authority to raise by compulsory service the number of troops necessary to maintain the existing five divisions of Australians at effective strength. There are, we believe, very few people in this Dominion who do not now regard the taking of the first referendum as a grave and regrettable blunder. The question should have been settled in the first place by direct legislation, as was done iu New Zealand : Out, having once taken a referendum on the subject, and in view of Mr Hughes' promise to the people that conscription would not be introduced without the question being re-submitted to them, there appears to be no other course open to the Federal Government at the present juncture. Although Parliament is not to have a voice In framing the conditions for the taking of this referendum, it is probable that they will be along the lines set out in the Military Service Referendum Act of last year. The question to be submitted to the people, and printed on the ballot papers, however, will probably be different from that which was rejected on October 28th of last year. The question which was voted on on that occasion was as follows :—" Are you in favour of the Government having in this emergency the same compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service for the term of this war out c ide the Commonwealth as it now has in regard to military service within the Common. wealth ' There were several provisions ol this Act, which were much debated at the time by members when it was before the House, but which on this occasion will be enforced by regulation without further discussion in Parliament. The same pro-

visions relating to persons of enemy origin ami their Austral-ian-born children, will be re-en acted by regulation. The soldiers abroad will be given a vote as before, and their votes will be

counted in London aud Babaul, and the capital cities of the Coramonwealtli. At the time of the last referendum on conscription there were 2,789,830 electors on the roll, and between then and the closing of the roll for the general election in May of this year 4n,4 c »7 new names were added. At the last referendum 2,308,603 electors voted, or h2.IS per cent of the total number on the rolls. This new campaign is of momentous importance to Australia. The people will have in their power to vindicate the honour of the Commonwealth, and they can do so by turning their "No" in 1916 into a strong'"Yes" in 1017.