§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether the male children above twelve years of age of all immigrants into Australia and New Zealand from the United Kingdom who are British subjects are laid under statutory obligation to become conscripts, or to render compulsory military service, in those Dominions after a residence therein exceeding six months?
Mr. HARCOURTUnder the Defence Act of the Australian Commonwealth all male inhabitants of Australia who have resided therein for six months and who are British subjects, except those exempted by the Act, are liable to be trained between the ages of twelve and twenty-six. Under the Defence Act of New Zealand all male inhabitants of New Zealand who have resided there for six months and are British subjects, are liable to be trained between the ages of twelve and thirty. There are certain exemptions from the Act. I cannot accept the hon. Member's description of those subject to compulsory training as "conscripts."
§ Mr. CLOUGHalso asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether the children of Germans, Italians, Greeks, and other alien nationalities who have settled, or who may settle, in Australia are immune from all the provisions of the Commonwealth Defence Acts, 1903 to 1911?
Mr. HARCOURTThe provisions contained in the Defence Act of the Commonwealth with regard to compulsory training are confined to British subjects.
1897W
§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he will state in which of His Majesty's Dominions and Colonies there is any system of conscription or compulsory obligation to render military service; and whether he will state in each instance between which ages those statutory obligations operate?