AUSTRALIAN RERUITING.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 April 1917, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN RERUITING.

“NEED OF THE MOMENT.”

CONSCRIPTION QUESTION,

The position in regard to recruiting in Australia was dealt with by Mn Joseph Cook, Minister for the Navy, in a speech in Sydney last week.

"Reinforcements, said Mr Cook, wore the great need of the moment. They must be secured and sent. The voluntary system was to bo employed to that eiul. A great deal of laborious effort was being put forth to make people believe that they would trick them into conscription, that they should be recreant to the trust the people imposed upon them. But he and the members of his party pledged themselves to respect the verdict of the people (Cheers.) No one could say what might develop in the future. But if anything unforeseen did arise which threatened the safety of the nation the people would be consulted and their decision obtained (Cheers.) There could be no conscription, therefore, unless and until the people desired it. (Hear, hear.) In this connection, said Mr Cook, a question arose which Mr Tudor, leader of the anti-conscription party, should answer straightforwardly. Did Mr Tudor say that if by any evil chance the whole Empire should be in dire peril and danger he would do nothing further t 0 help in its defence? Would he rather let the Empire go under than take any further steps to consult the people? By his answer to that question let the public judge his criticism of their attitude. They were out to save Australia and the Empire at any and every cost. And if necessity compelled them —and not unless—they would consult the people and abide by their decree. Any other attitude on that life and death matter was both pusillanimous and dangerous. (Cheers.) Mr Cook reiterated that the chief concern of the National Government would be to reinforce the men at the front in full and adequate measure, and when the soldiers returned home it was intended that they should reap the benefits and advantages of a generous scheme of repatriation. Lines had already been laid down, and the details would shortly be promulgated of a proposal prepared with infinite labour by Senator Milieu, and neither expense nor ability would be spared in making that scheme worthy of the bravery and sacrifice displayed by those who would claim it as a right. (Cheers.)