Australian Conscription

Taihape Daily Times, 10 December 1917, Page 3

Australian Conscription

Mr W. M. Hughes, the Premier of the Australian Commonwealth, during the final stages of his Queensland tour, got off the following on to the opponents of conscription: "These people who say they want to stay here and fight the Germans say it because the Germans are not here to fight," said Mr Hughes in a speech later in the day. "At Warwick to-day I was assaulted by a number of these people. There were many men there who would make half-a-dozen of me. I have a boy who has been nearly two years in the battleline, and he is not quite 20 yet. These men who assaulted me to-day at Warwick could take me and my boy up in one hand. Yet he is in the firing-line and they are here. All they can do in the way of fighting is fight me. Well, I will give them something to fight. This is a man's job. There are men in Australia, and they must fight. Some of these gentlemen who talk about the sanctity of human life would sandbag me if they got me in a dark alley I tell you.they are playing the dirty game of Germany in our midst. I do not believe that the rank and file of Labour is any less loyal than I am. I know them. I have worked with them. I have starved with them. I have led them. But I say they are being led by men who are playing their own game, and who don't care for Labour of Australia. (Cheers). How does the German vote go, do you think? Does it come to me? The Germans have patted the Labour leader on the shoulder. I tell you plainly I would sooner be patted by a leper. (Cheers). If you want to serve Germany you can- easily do it by voting •No.'"