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ALP 1917 election flyer

1917

Labor was opposed to conscription during the Great War.

Other topics in War, Conscription & the Split

The Great War

Early in 1914 the outbreak of the Great War seemed to promise a surge in Labor's fortunes. Most Labor spokesmen were committed to pursuing the war with a complete mobilisation of national effort. The election of the third Fisher Government in September 1914 was followed…

The Conscription Issue

After travelling to Britain early in 1916 Hughes returned home convinced that some form of conscription would be needed to provide the number of Australian troops demanded by British authorities. The Labor Party had always supported existing legislation in the Defence Act that encouraged civilian…