Flier, WWI anti-conscription demonstration 1916

Summary

As World War I dragged on into its third and fourth years, the issue of military conscription for overseas service became the subject of fierce and divisive debate. The Australian government, led by Prime Minster Billy Hughes, made two attempts at winning a mandate for the introduction of conscription in two plebiscites, conducted in 1916 and 17. Both of these resulted in a majority ‘no’ vote, although each by only a relatively small margin. In Melbourne, strident campaigns against conscription were conducted by labour organisations, certain churches and a range of pacifist groups. An equally impassioned pro-conscription campaign was supported by the Australian and British governments and much of the mainstream press. Large public rallies and town hall meetings were a critical aspect of the campaigns, always attracting large crowds.