The Pros And Cons Of Conscription

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When World War 1 broke out in 1914, Australia pledged full support to Britain. In the first few months of war many Australians enlisted in the war but a large number were turned away. However, after many lives were lost at the Western Front, Australia was pressured by Britain to make a bigger contribution to the war effort, however, this time not enough men were enlisting, so Prime Minister William Morris Hughes was convinced that the only way they could win the war was to introduce conscription for overseas service. Billy Hughes was forced to promote conscription to the Australian public as the result of the loss of lives, and Britain’s demands for more reinforcements. When Hughes introduced conscription, it started a decisive, bitter debate on …show more content…

The failed referendum led to Billy Hughes losing his seat in the Australian Labor Party, and Frank Tudor taking over his duty as leader, at the end of 1916. When Hughes stated, ‘Let those who think with me, follow me’ (Independent Australia) it caused the Labor Party to split. This led to Hughes, and 24 other pro-conscription members, to form the National Labor Party. After many negotiations, on the 17th February 1917, a new, and more socially radical, nationalist government was formed. It consisted of 5 of the national labor members, and 6 of the former liberal members. Even though Hughes was forced to resign after the 1917 referendum defeat, he remained Prime Minister until 1923. Billy Hughes died while still serving in parliament, which makes him one of the longest serving members of the Australian Parliament. Dr Andrew Klisby (Historian) writes that Billy Hughes ‘was one of the most controversial figures and certainly colourful figures of Australian public life’ (Military History and Heritage Victoria Inc. 2015). Billy Hughes’ actions and opinions about conscription, greatly affected his political

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