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[Page 364]

What chance had that man?

Quite a number of chaps here will vote against Conscription. I have had a couple of discussions with officers, who declare that they will vote against Conscription Their argument is – "Australia cannot afford to send the men".

I asked them if they were fighting for England or for Australia – I said – Primarily you are fighting for your own homes, Australia. Secondly remember that Australia is part of a Great Empire now at war. We are the seed of a nation that has been fostered and cared for by the mother country; we share every privilege: we live under the only flag that could guarantee us absolute security – Britons do not want us to fight for their homes; they have to date been able to look after themselves and they are confident of the future: We are expected though to take a reasonably active part in securing our own security.

-"But we have sent such a number of men" – Australia cannot afford to send more men." Well then we have two one of two things to do, for the neither the present military situation nor the number of men Australia has sent to the front can guarantee a victorious

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