Australia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 33, 13 May 1916, Page 8

Australia

CONSDRIPTION DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT, •' 1 , r f :' : .•. FUiriMffi Ppw** AfflanojA^TOTi.l Melbourne, May 11. Both Houses lengthily debated conscription, without arriving at a finality. Mr Cook attacked the Government for not adopting compulsion, and queried the statement that there had been a maxiravAri effort of output, when 120,000 single men had refused to enlist. He believed that a referendum would result in an overwhelming vote in favor of compulsory service. Mr Higgs stated that the Govern-’ meut had information which it was unable to disclose. This information had been given to members at a secret meeting oii the previous evening. Mr Catts advocated a secret session to discuss the situation without restriction of the Senate.

Mr Millen deprecated comparisons between the efforts of the various Dominions. The most convincing argument was the demonstration that more men were needed. Britain had found it necessary to adopt compulsion and he believed Australia had exhausted the possibilities of the voluntary system. Therefore he was of opinion that Australia must resort to compulsion. Mr Pearce stated that though he had not been officially informed by the Imperial authorities that conscription was anticipated, he anticipated that as soon as the Conscription Bill passed the British Parliament all English residents abroad would automatically be called up. Those resident hero would probably be given the option of enlisting in the Australian forces or travelling to England and enlisting there. SATISFACTORY RETURNS FROM VOLUNTARYISM. (Received 10.10 a.in.) Melbourne, May 13. In the House of Representatives, Mr Tudor stated that the system or recruiting was satisfactory. It continued to furnish the necessary reinforcements and the additional new troops which had been promised.