Reasons for the referendum: why you should vote "yes"

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TitleReasons for the referendum: why you should vote "yes"Date of publication1916?Description

The appeal for recruits was crucial, as the Commonwealth Defence Act of 1903, as amended in 1911, provided for universal military training but specified that no Australian (including members of the regular military forces) could be compelled to fight overseas.

With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, volunteers flocked to enlist for overseas service. Many supported Australia's participation in the war as a moral necessity. However, as the war continued, there were insufficient new volunteers to cover the Australian Imperial Force's massive casualties and to meet the British authorities' requests for reinforcements.

In December 1915, Prime Minister WM Hughes appealed to all eligible men to volunteer. The ongoing recruitment campaign was supported with flyers and posters. The conscription issue was fiercely debated and created bitter divisions between supporters and opponents. Referendums about the issue of conscription held on 28 October 1916 and again on 20 December 1917 were both defeated, particularly in South Australia, with the result that only volunteers served in the war.

Relates to

ExhibitionTreasures of the State Library of South AustraliaCollection titleTreasures WallSubjectDraft -- AustraliaReferendum -- Australia -- World War, 1914-1918World War, 1914-1918 -- South Australia -- PropagandaReferendum -- South Australia -- World War, 1914-1918

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Reasons for the referendum: why you should vote "yes"

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Reasons for the referendum: why you should vote "yes"