HC Deb 02 December 1912 vol 44 c1882
83. Sir WILLIAM BYLES

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to recent efforts to enlist public opinion in favour of compulsory military service in this country, and particularly to speeches of Lord Roberts, he can inform the House as to the working of the Australian Defence Act; whether he can say how many boys of fourteen years of age were ordered to enrol at the last annual enrolment, and whether only 40 per cent, of them obeyed the law; and whether there is any evidence of general resistance in the Do minions to the compulsory Clauses of the Act?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The latest information available with regard to the working of the Defence Act of Australia is contained in a Paper laid before the Commonwealth Parliament, which will be placed in the Library, and which will afford my hon. Friend the information for which he asks. I am not aware of any evidence of general resistance in the Commonwealth to the compulsory Clauses of the Act.