Arguments Against Conscription In Australia

The First World War, an international conflict predominantly fought in Europe and the Middle East between 1914 and 1918, was an event that shaped Australian society. One of the most notable events of this period was the debate surrounding conscription. The conscription referenda were a controversial move in the Australian parliament, and created deep social divides. When looking at the issue of conscription, it is important to examine why conscription was suggested, as well as the arguments formulating the debate. These three areas all combined to create significant social change in Australia, Conscription was first brought up in Australian Parliament as a solution to waning recruitment rates. At the start of the First World War in 1914,

Those opposing the conscription argued that no government had the right to compel its citizens into fighting a war when they didn’t want to. They said that in supporting conscription, voters were sending innocent men to their deaths (Clarke, 1989). Interestingly, many of those already fighting overseas were opposed to conscription in Australia. An unknown soldier stated that ‘Every man should be able to make up his own mind’ about going to war. Another said that if soldiers ‘have to be forced to come, they won’t be much good over here’ (NSW Government, 2014). Still, one of the most decisive arguments of the referenda was that of rural areas. Many of these people owned or worked on farms, and relied on a steady supply of capable men in order for their organisations to function (Jess, 2017) Labouring men also argued that they were already providing enough to the war effort, supplying the produce that those in Europe so desperately needed (Jess, 2017). Overall, these arguments combined to create a strong case for the ‘No’ side, and meant that conscription was not introduced in Australia during the First World