The Conscription Debate
Twice during the First World War Australians were asked to vote in a national referendum on introducing conscription.
The 1916 referendum failed when 51 per cent voted no. In 1917 the war continued. The armies of Europe were deadlocked and the war had worsened. In desperation Britain asked for fresh troops. During the federal election campaign in 1917, Hughes promised that ‘if national safety demands it, the question will again be referred to the people’.
At the election Billy Hughes gained a majority in the Senate. Parliament could have introduced compulsory overseas service. Instead Hughes called a second referendum for 20 December 1917.
The conscription debate divided the nation. Listen to the audio clips below to find out some of the arguments. What other arguments can you think of? How will you vote?
Audio is recorded by actors from historical research.
‘The people of Australia are about to decide the destiny of their country. They are about to show the world what manner of men and women they are. They must declare that they stand loyally by the Empire and their kinsmen. I ask them to prove in this referendum whether they want to be their own masters, or slaves.’
- Listen to Track 1
[Anthem ‘God Save the Queen’]
[applause and cheers]
Billy Hughes: You stand now, an island of volunteerism, in a great sea of conscription. It is up to you to make it good. [applause and cheers] Otherwise, the waters of the ocean will rise up and overwhelm you. There is no alternative. [applause and cheers]
- Listen to Track 2
[applause]
Billy Hughes: Women of Australia—mothers, wives, sisters of free men. What is your answer to the boys at the front? Are you going to leave them to die? What is your answer to Britain, to whom we owe so much; to France, to Belgium? Are you going to cover with shame and dishonor, the country for which our soldiers are fighting and dying? Now is your hour of trial and opportunity. Will you be proud mothers of a nation of heroes, or stand dishonored as the mothers of a race of degenerates? I ask you, in this referendum, to prove that you are worthy to be mothers and wives of free men.
- Listen to Track 3
[applause]
Billy Hughes: If you are a loyal citizen of this proud nation, you will support this proposal.
[background noise and applause]
Billy Hughes: If you do not, then strip off the robe which is the mark of your citizenship, for you have disgraced it, and are not worthy to be called free citizens.
[applause]
- Listen to Track 4
[applause and cheers]
Billy Hughes: The people of Australia are about to decide the destiny of their country. They are about to show the world what manner of men and women they are.
[applause and cheers]
Billy Hughes: They must declare that they stand loyally by the Empire and their kinsmen. I ask them to prove in this referendum, whether they want to be their own masters, or slaves.
[applause and cheers]
Billy Hughes: In the name of liberty, cast your votes in favor of a government's proposal.
‘I won’t shirk my duty. We all got to do our bit.’
‘You must Vote ‘Yes’ to Conscription. Our brothers need you there to help.’
- Listen to the audio
Man 1: You must vote yes to conscription. Our brothers need you there to help. Do not bring shame onto the name of Australia. Support the hundred thousand diggers already there, for kin and country, for honour and victory. [marching sound]
[artillery shots]
Man 2: It’s true, we need reinforcements in the trenches. But if you knew the true horrors of this place, you would be just as unwilling as I am to force it upon any man. The truth is, I wouldn’t bring my worst bloody enemy over here to go through this.
‘Don’t go robbing Australia of its white blood and leaving it open to the coloured workers of the world.’
‘You must vote ‘Yes’. My sons gave their noble lives fighting with courage and honour.’
- Listen to the audio
Woman 1: Every life is sacred. No mother should ever feel as I did, when I lost my own beautiful son. My heart is sick with endless tears and grief is in my every breath. No, I will not support this blood vote, nor doom a man to death. [pause]
Woman 2: You must vote yes. [noise of pouring water]
Woman 2: My sons gave their noble lives, fighting with courage and honor. Nothing but victory for our beloved Empire will ever console for me for the loss of my dearest ones.
‘Vote ‘No’ - for Ireland. How can we support Britain when they oppress and murder our fellow Countrymen?’
- Listen to the audio
Vote no, for Ireland. [cheers and applause]
I call upon that multitude of Australians who are tied by blood to our beloved Catholic homeland. [cheers and applause]
How can we support Britain, when they oppress and murder our fellow countrymen? Support your kinsmen, and reject British oppression and tyranny.
‘Conscription is a hateful thing, which is certain to bring evil in its train. I make no apology for putting Australia first and the Empire second.’
- Listen to Track 1
Daniel Mannix: Hughes is denying the people their democratic right to debate this issue. The popular press calls them ‘traitors’ for simply disagreeing with his vote. Hughes wants to put the people of Australia under the heel of military domination. I do not want any little tzars in Australia. [applause and cheers]
Australians should keep the freedom they proudly possess, and force no Australian to face the enemy’s guns in Europe, by pointing guns at them at home.
- Listen to Track 2
Daniel Mannix: Conscription is a hateful thing... [cheers] ...which is certain to bring evil in its train. I make no apology for putting Australia first, and the Empire second. I hope that we shall bend all our energies, Protestant and Catholic without distinction of race or blood, to keep Australia free, and refuse to barter our inherited liberty for a spurious loyalty to the Empire. [cheers and applause]
‘If he doesn’t get himself a uniform then I will cheerfully die an old maid’