Australia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 11 May 1916, Page 5

Australia

WAR PROFITS BILL. • y ■ ' , • i . THE NEED OF CONSCRIPTION. I■‘ " ' ' J [Unit»d Pbksi Ausociation.] Melbourne, May 11. A War Profits Bill, modelled on the 'British Act, has been brought down in the House of Representatives, j •Mr'Chhk asked*for tf referendum on Oonscriptioi}. Mr .in. advocating Conscription, said he did not ■ think we would, dps,© t t)i£ W) '..¥ there was a danger of a premature peace becoming greater daily, LABOR AND THE WAR. ANTI-CONSCRIPTION MOTIONS. "THE HOPE OF THE WORLD.” (Received 10.30 a.m.) Melbourne, May 11. The Trades Hall Congress convened to discuss the war service, and representing 300,000 unionists, submitted a motion recording their detestation ol Conscription, which . would introduce vile means by which Labor would bo overawed by capital; affirming that the voluntary system could supply sufficient men; and calling on the Government to increase the private’s pay »o jlOs per day, and appropriate for war purposes all rents, interests, profits and other incomes in excess of the equivalent pay of the privates. The discussion has been adjourned. Each delegate received a manifesto, ■urging all unionists to prepare for a general strike to render the imposition of* Conscription impossible, and stating that if the militaristic caste is essential only to bolster up capitalism, I let the Labor movement pronounce not I against any particular nationality, but I for the unity of labor as the hope oi ! the world. Should Conscription become law and the Government challenge the organised revolt, Labor will have to 'take the lines of those who uphold the 'basis of working-class principles at • any cost; Later, the Labor Conference concluded, having recommended the Government- to empower the Commodities Commissioner to determine the rate of wages, and inquire into profits, | with a view to regulating prices m any i industry.

The Conference carried a motion endorsing Senator Pearce’s opposition to Conscription, and advocated an international understanding between the workers to render war impossible, no further war loans bearing interest to ho raised, and that future war needs should he raised by compulsory pro rata contributions from the people, whose incomes amount to £3OO per annum and over.