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Mr Hughes great conscription meeting at Sydney Town Hall 14 November 1917

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National Library of Australia
[nla.news-page10858808 via Trove]
(The Mirror, 17 November 1917, p1)

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Recruiting for World War I Socialist Opposition to World War I
Subjects
Armed forces Public building Voting and Elections World War I
Buildings
Sydney Town Hall
People
Hughes, William Morris (Billy)
Events
Conscription referendum 1917

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National Library of Australia

Socialist Opposition to World War I

Most socialist organisations opposed World War I from the beginning, the militant vigour of their opposition fiercely suppressed through government censure and legislation. Their message - that the working classes were mere cannon fodder for the imperialist war machine from which they would not benefit - appealed to many Sydnysiders, especially as the war drew on, and its emotional, social and financial cost became more exhausting.

Recruiting for World War I

As the embarkation point for many World War I soldiers, Sydney was a centre for recruiting volunteers from all over New South Wales, and also strongly affected by the bitter conscription referenda campaigns of 1916 and 1917, and the subsequent political fallout.

Public building

Voting and Elections

World War I

Armed forces

Sydney Town Hall

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Built on the site of Sydney's first official European cemetery, the Town Hall was designed by architect JH Willson in High Victorian style and constructed of Pyrmont sandstone. The highly ornate interiors have seen pomp and ceremony, protests and performance, and the building remains a significant focus for the city.

Hughes, William Morris (Billy)

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Unionist and politician who became Labor Prime Minister during World War I and was expelled for his support for conscription. He served in a number of non-Labor federal governments, remaining in parliament until his death.

Conscription referendum 1917

British pressure to supply a sixth division of 7000 men per month led to the second referendum that would have seen compulsory reinforcements augment dwindling volunteer recruitment. Whilst it was defeated it remained highly divisive politically, socially and within religious circles.

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