Flier, WWI anti-conscription demonstration 1916

Maker unknown

Registration number

1722816

Artist/maker

Maker unknown

Printer

Co-Operative Print, Patrick St., Melb.

Title

Flier, WWI anti-conscription demonstration

Production date

1916

Medium

ink, paper

Dimensions (H x W x D)

14 x 22 cm

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Anti-conscription, WWI, World War One, 1916, protest, rally, Fred A. Holland, Yarra Bank, Military service

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.