The Spirit of Self-Sacrifice.—I believe that the temper of the people is such that, realising to the full the gravity of the situation, they arc prepared to endure all things, to undergo all sacrifices, to subordinate all things, in order that decisive victory may be ours.— Mr. Hughes.
In Defence of Democracy.—In Australia what the people say goes. Whatever they choose to make law is law; they arc the rulers of their own destiny. But in the country against which wc are fighting to-day the will of the German proletariat, though ten millions, though fifty millions, stand behind it, is as nothing beside the will of the Kaiser.—Mr. Hughes.
Jf I thought this war was a war merely for Empire or for aggrandisement, for more wealth, for greater areas of land, for material things which we desired to grasp in our predatory clutch, I would never raise my voice for the despatch of one man from Australia. But believing as I do that this war is to decide our destiny, and that of the great Motherland, I am for the fullest extension of our striking power.—Mr. Hughes.
Looking Them in the Face.—I feel ashamed of the action of the officers of trades unions who have failed to realise the gravity of the situation, and the fact that all the dearly-bought liberties they now enjoy are at stake in this world crisis. My brother officers of the Australian Workers’ Union are on the opposite side to myself. There are 27,000 members of that great union at the front; and I told my executive that I would be ashamed to look one of them in the face on his return if I failed to help to send him reinforcements, when he is nobly fighting to maintain for us those glorious privileges which he and his mates have stood for in Australia.—Mr. W. G. Spence, M.H.R.
Going Whole-Souled.—I have come to a decision to support the Bill before us on the reports that have been submitted to us by Mr. Hughes, who is in possession of more information concerning the true position in regard to the war than is any honourable Senator. I am going whole-souled for the Referendum, and will advise the people to vote "Yes” to the proposition.— Senator Guthrie, S.A.
The Socialistic Way.—I am in favour of the application of compulsion to this supreme national emergency, because I believe it is the fair way, the democratic way, and, above all, the Socialistic way. When I hear men claiming to be Socialists, and find that they are Socialists in everything but in respect of the supreme national function, which is defence of national life and integrity, I take leave to doubt if they understand what Socialism really is.— Senator Givens.
“ Because I am an Irishman.”—I support the measure for the Referendum, and shall support the carrying of the question in the affirmative as a true, staunch and convinced Labourite of 26 years’ standing, believing that by its passage by an overwhelming majority the best and most permanent interests of the party will be served. I support it also, because I am an Irishman.—Senator Lynch, W.A.
Red Line of Living Valour.—Australia has taken its place in that red line oi living valour which is crushing out for ever the world-menace of German frightfulness. Shall we abandon that post, contract our section of line, and throw new burdens upon the gallant but exhausted soldiers of France and Belgium, just at the time when every ounce of weight spells all the difference for the Allies between a crushing final victory and exhaustion by time? Wc are fighting for a great heritage; for the right of little nations to live; for those prinicples of self-government which have come down to us from the ages—the gift of resolute men; the fruit of sacrifice and devotion to those ideals that have made our race live in history.—Mr. Crawford Vaughan, Premier of South Australia.
British Protection.—What right have we to expect the continued protection of the British Navy in the days to come, when other enemies loom in the distance, if, in this hour of the Nation’s peril, wc are not prepared to follow the flag and to fight for the liberties that we have enjoyed so long? What can we say to the boys who have gone to the front if we do not respond to the present appeal?—Mr. Webster, M.H.R., Postmaster-General.
Issued by the Nfttlonnl Referendum Council, 395 Colllns-street, Melbourne,
Adam McOay, Publicity Secretary.
For Australia’s Safety.—I am taking part in this Referendum Reinforcements’ Campaign because I believe that the Empire, with all its democratic institutions, is in danger; that loyalty to the Empire is morc-than adherence to any political party; because I believe that the Empire is engaged in a struggle for Right against Might, for civilisation against barbarism, for democracy against autocracy, and for a higher civilisation and a nobler humanity. For the safety of Australia and for the honour of the women of Australia I am a conscriptionist.
“ Women, who shall one day bear Sons to breathe new England air,
If ye hear without a blush Deeds to make the roused blood rush Like red lava through your veins For your sisters now in chains, »
Answer! Are ye fit to be Mothers of the brave and free?”
—Mr. Adamson, Labour Minister for Railways, Queensland.
Six Reasons.—I advise the people of Australia to vote "Yes,” because—lurst, it is necessary to defend Australia. Second. Australia is pledged to do everything possible to assist in the defence of the Empire. Third, the present system is not fair, because some men are economically and socially compelled to enlist while others are not. Fourth, our boys already at the front must be •reinforced. Fifth, now is the time and France the place to fight for the freedom of Australia. Sixth, if the enemy were at, say, Fremantle, the present law would compel every man to go and defend his country. It would be then too late. Don’t be frightened or let yourselves be sidetracked. Remember Belgium, and vote "Yes.”—Mr. J. Earle, formerly Labour Premier of Tasmania.
Sink all Differences.— . ___But when we are faced with a
question such as 1 never thought to live to see arise, when the whole of our civilisation is in the melting-pot, surely to God we might sink the petty differences that disturbed us in times of peace! One might be led to think that peace was beginning to undermine the stamina of the race, that we were beginning to think that peace is the normal state, simply because we have enjoyed 100 years of it under the aegis of Great Britain and her mighty Navy.—Mr. Carr, M.H.R.
Spread the Burden Fairly.—It may be asked of me, "Why are
you a conscriptionist?” Let me tell the House candidly why I am. For nearly two years I have had much to do with recruiting campaigns, and with the work of the War Council, and my experience has forced me to the conclusion that under the voluntary system there is no equality of sacrifice. I can take honourable members into street after street and show them families every son in which has gone to the front, whereas in the same streets there are families with more sons not one of whom has volunteered. It is the inherent selfishness of human nature that has made me a conscriptionist. In connection with this war there can be no half-way house. We must he either for it or against it.— Mr. Poynton, M.H.R.
Our True Defence.—We could no more defend ourselves at the present time against aiiy big Power than wc could fly in the air. Any well-informed man who makes any statement to the contrary is deliberately deceiving the people. There is too much of such deliberate deception going on at the present time, and it is not creditable to those who are responsible for it.— Mr. Archibald, M.H.R.
The Real Battlefield-—We are now urged not to send men out of this country to fight, but in answer to that I would ask: Where else will they fight in the defence of this country except on foreign battlefields? Where is Australia now being defended if not on foreign soil? What on earth will be the use of our democratic institutions if the Empire goes down in this struggle? God forbid that it should, but if if does what will become of Australia? Where will be those members who are now sitting here and enjoying themselves to some extent? What will become of our trades halls and our unions? I affirm that everything we have enjoyed up to the present is based upon the strength of the Empire, and if the Empire goes down we go down with it.—Mr. Bainford, M.H.R.
Anderson. Gownn & Du Rleu Pty. I.td.. Printers,
552 554 I/msdale St., Melbourne.