Conscription



During World War One there were two attempts at bringing in conscription. These were both lead by Billy Huges with the first referendum being in 1916 and the second in 1917. However despite heavy support for conscription both referendas failed. It was believed by some people that those men eligable for war who had not enlisted should be made to in order to aid the Empire and their fellow men. Eligable men that were not enlisted were seen as selfish and cowardly and could be presented with a white feather to symbolise their cowardness. However it was also thought by many people that men should not be forced to go to war. It was also the case that strong, healthy men were needed at home for hard labour work such as working a farm. In these cases it would have proved very difficult to give up the men for war. Due to these different views on conscription Austalian society become divided on the issue and tested that 'social cohesion' that had formed as a results of the war.