Conscription

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 77, 28 October 1916, Page 5

Conscription

AUSTRALIAN REFERENDUM THE QUESTION FOR TO-DAY. Arc you in favor of the Government having, in this grave emergency, the same compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service, for the term of the war, outside the Commonwealth as it now 'has in regard to military service within the Commonwealth? “STRAIGHT FOR EMPIRE.” MESSAGE FROM NEW ZEALAND. BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS. Per Press Association. Wellington, October 28. The following cable, was sent to Mr Hughes (Prime Minister of Australia) last night by Mr T. M.' Wilford :—’ The New Zealand Patriotic Society feels confident that Australia will vote “Straight for Empire” to-morrow Best wishes for success. A BRUTAL MOB. !| , attempt to hang a chairman. PrOss Association— Copyright. (Received 10.25 a.m.i Melbourne, October 28. After refusing to hear conscription speakers at Port Fairy, the crowd , brutally kicked the chairman and attempted to hang him with a' buggy trace. The lights failed, and he managed to escape. W ATERSIDERS IN CONFERENCE. GENERAL STRIKE DEFEATED. |J press Association—Copyngut. (Receded 10.25 n.m.) $ 1 1 Hobart, October 28. An inter-Stale conference of water--sMe?s defeated by 14 votes to 7, a mqtion in favour of ,a general strike linithe event of Conscription being carried.

THE PRO'S AND ANTI’S. CAPTAIN J. B. MINE AT MANLY. At Alanly- (Jjjew South Wales), near the monument now. being erected on tiie Cor so to the memory of the fallen heroes, the Anti-Conscriptions held a big meeting. The principal speakers were Mr Miuahan, MX.A., and Miss May Matthews. Any interjections were good-natured, and it looked as though the “Aura's’' were getting on very .vAll, until several hundred “Pros’s.” coming from a- Couscriptionist nieeting higher up toe Corso, attached themselves to the crowd. ’ things immediately began to grow lively, (says an) exchange). In the middle of the “Anti's” a huge khakiclad figure pushed his way. This was Captain J. B. Hiue, member oi Parliament for Stratford, New Zealand, who was passing through Sydney in command of a party of Maorilanders on their way to the front. Having asked and bee? refused permission to address the meeting, Captain Hine immediately proemed a box for himself, and, carrying it round to the far side of the crowd, mounted it. “I’m waiting till you have finished, madam!” he called out politely to a woman who was just then speaking. The lady, showed no inclination to conclude, so the crowd, scenting fun, completely drowned her utteiantes beneath a stentorian and enthusiastic rendering of “Rule Britannia. “Please turn round -and look at jne t”. came the soldier’s voice above the din. When comparative silence had been secured he began to speak. “Alen and women of Australia,” he shouted, “1 come from New Zealand. Over there we’ve done the right thing and followed Britain’s lead! Now 1 want to ask, What is Australia going to do?” There were cries •of “Ihc right thing—vote “Yes!” —from the crowd. By this time the “Antis.” alter a hurried consultation, had, put up theii iloudest-orator, but without avail. <l. |]3 Hiue is well used to talking turllndentIIndent meetings down. Ihe attention lof almost the whole meeting, Ims land “Antis” both, was focussed on him during his entire speech, and a couple of New Zealanders, recognising the speaker, broke into a delightful “Alio,- Ake, kia, kaha! , ‘‘pmi sailing for the front to-moi-row,” announced Captain Hine in conclusion, “and I want to toll yon that no nation but Australia can blacken the fair name Australians have won. Vote Yes and he true to yourselves; your country, and your Empire!” ■ Amid a mighty outburst ol applause, Captain Hine stepped down. His place was immediately taken byMr Thomas Bathurst, secretary of the R.S.A. ; and then the Mayor (Aid. Iveirle) called for three cheers for the King, which were given with great heartiness.