There are so many significant events to reflect on during the Centenary of ANZAC that some are sure to be largely missed. Rightly, the Gallipoli campaign and the battles of the Western Front have and will feature most. Amazing acts of courage, skill, commitment and sacrifice will loom large, not just from the front line but also the acts of our nurses, doctors, tunnel diggers, seamen and many more.
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There will be little room for political events despite their significance. Two such events which occurred 100 years ago this October and December next year are the conscription plebiscites.
When war broke out in August 1914 many, including a few arrogant British generals, declared it would all be over by Christmas. They were wrong, very wrong.
When the mother country turned to Australia for help, we responded with great enthusiasm. Throughout 1915 recruiting committees were formed in nearly every town throughout Australia. Recruitment marches through our regional towns proved successful as, strong and fit young Australian men both responded to the call of duty and grabbed the opportunity for an adventure of a lifetime.
But despite limited press reporting, by 1916 the reality of the “Great War” was well known in Australia. The carnage, the loss, and the uncertainty of victory all weighed heavily on the minds of the Australian population. Understandably, the enthusiasm for enlistment had waned.
Under pressure from London, Labor Prime Minister Billy Hughes turned to conscription. The Government had the power to conscript for national defence, but not for expeditionary forces. Despite having other legal options, Hughes was conscious of the enormity of the move and decided to take the proposal to the people in a vote held in October 1916.
The debate, rallies, protests, brawls and division which followed ended in a narrow defeat of the question, the expulsion of Hughes from the Labor Party and a devastating split in the Party itself.
Having won the August 1917 federal election as leader of his Nationalists, Hughes had another go in December 1917. The question was defeated again by a slightly wider margin. Once again, the campaign cost Hughes the leadership of his Party.
It’s hard to imagine the intensity of the public debates of the time. To contemplate what a tumultuous time it must have been for an almost evenly divided community over matters of such gravity.
Lest We Forget.
