Gaels and Samhain

Samhain and Gaels leads to To North-western Spain

PM disheveled, with bleeding knuckles

Second Conscription Referendum
The violence which characterised the first conscription campaign in 1916 was exceeded by that of the second in 1917, and the fact that the momentous decision had to be given a few days before the commencement of the traditional season of goodwill did not lessen or weaken the heat infused into the campaign oratory. The supporters of the Government stressed the point that the general election of the previous May proved that the mind of the country had undergone a radical change, and that the people were convinced that the seriousness of the military situation made compulsory service necessary in the interests of Australia and the Empire. The opponents of the Government maintained that the decision given in October, 1916, ought to have been accepted as final; that the issue was then closed; and that the reopening of it was a political trick on the part of a discredited leader anxious to save himself from the consequences of his own party’s distrust.
On this occasion, the form taken by the campaign in opposition was anti-Hughes as well as anti-conscription. The Prime Minister was assailed with the most vehement fury. When he was on his way back from Brisbane, a crowd rushed the railway platform at Warwick (November 29th), where supporters of his cause had gathered to hear a few sentences from him while the train waited at 3 o’clock in the afternoon An opponent threw an egg of indubitable antiquity, which just missed Mr. Hughes, but a second from the same source broke upon his hat. A returned soldier threw himself upon
416 AUSTRALIA DURING THE WAR [Nov.-Dec, 1917
the egg-thrower, whereupon the station platform became the scene of a fierce fight. Fists and sticks and a varied assortment of missiles gave emphasis to the cries of rage. Mr. Hughes was in the centre of the disturbance, from which he at length emerged disheveled, with bleeding knuckles testifying to his personal participation in the melee. When Mr. Hughes asked the police officer in charge to take action against his assailants, the officer ( Senior Sergeant Kenny) refused to do so. Upon Mr. Hughes repeating his request as Attorney- General of the Commonwealth. the sergeant replied that he recognised the laws of Queensland and would act under no other. The Prime Minister then attempted to address the crowd, the policeman appealing to it to give him a “ fair and square deal ” ; but after these sensational occurrences nobody was in the mood for listening to a speech.
Mr. Hughes despatched a strongly-worded telegram to the Premier of Queensland, Mr. Ryan, blaming the police at Warwick for the inadequacy of their arrangements and their indifference towards the chief instigator of the disturbance, who, it was alleged. after being ejected from the platform, was not placed under arrest, but permitted to return and resume the offensive. Mr. Ryan, in a frigidly polite letter, expressed his regret, and his hope that Mr. Hughes had not suffered any personal injury, but added that a preliminary enquiry showed that “ the affair was not so serious ” as Mr. Hughes’s telegram indicated. But Mr. Hughes was satisfied that the police at Warwick had inclined in sympathy towards the unruly crowd. He therefore intimated his intention to form a Commonwealth police force. The very few officers subsequently engaged, however, could never have prevented so unexpected an occurrence as the unfortunate Warwick incident.44
In all parts of the country there were disturbances at meetings held to support or oppose the policy of the Government I n some constituencies it was impossible for speakers to secure a hearing, and it required no small amount of courage and determination to face the angry crowds who surged into the halls where one human voice, endeavouring

44 The jest of the day was that the Commonwealth had “one policeman.” The Commonwealth Year Book for 1919 and 1920 overlooked even that one.

"create war hysteria"

Chapter 2 – Between the Two Wars, 1918–38

The arguments used are interesting as an introduction to a study of the conflict within the Labour Party on the subject. Makin spoke for the anti-war and peace movements which were then becoming active in Australia as in Britain in revulsio n from the prospect of another conflict. He deplored the attempts to "create war hysteria" and a policy which he thought "provocative and defiant", and was able to quote religious leaders, women's movements and educationalists in Australia in support of his views.

Hon N. J. O. Makin. MHR 1919-46 and since 1954; Speaker 1929-31; Min for Navy and for Munitions 1941-46, Aircraft Production 1945-46. Aust Ambassador to USA 1946-51. Of Woodville, SA; b. Petersham, NSW, 31 Mar 1889.

ACF: hearsay, intolerance and sheer emotionalism, with little regard to facts and citizenship responsibilities'

Irrigators dominating basin debate: green groups
Paul Sinclair from the Australian Conservation Foundation was among a group who met with Water Minister Tony Burke last night.

Although an early member and councillor (1968-74) of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Mawby, Sir Maurice Alan Edgar (1904 - 1977) decided that the conservation movement leaned towards people whose attitudes were 'based on hearsay, intolerance and sheer emotionalism, with little regard to facts and citizenship responsibilities'. He withdrew from the foundation.

Julya's salute

Someone else's salute

Tony Abbott: “What these men did nothing now can alter.

Tony Abbott Statement on Afghanistan
In his official history,Old Force Passes, Charles Bean said of the soldiers of the first AIF:

“What these men did nothing now can alter. The good and the bad, the greatness and the smallness of their story will stand. Whatever glory it contains, nothing now can lessen. It rises, as it will always rise, above the mists of ages, a monument to great hearted men; and for their nation a possession forever”.

The full Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918

Green around the Gillard

We were behind asylum seeker policy push: Greens

ALP border perforation command

ALP Two new detention centres

Julya, a chronic and habitual LIAR?!

Julya's new story reminds one of the 1957 film Witness for the Prosecution in which the below question is asked:

Sir Wilfrid: [chuckling further] And now today you've told us a new story entirely! [serious now] The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, are you lying now, or are you not in fact a chronic and habitual LIAR?!

'stick to your post.' said Evatt

Mr Vivian Bowden

"He was removed from the cinema hall where the prisoners were being held and, according to later reports, was shot behind the building after being forced to dig his own grave."

Mr V.G. Bowden, wearing CBE insignia, with Mrs Bowden after a ceremony at which Mr Bowden, official representative of Australia in Malaya, received the CBE from the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Shenton Thomas.
photo link

Gillard's climate change

NSW hit by floods, snow

Has Brigadier McDade heard of Hellfire Pass?

Has Brigadier McDade heard of Hellfire Pass?

ALP stalls rivers debate for six months

Windsor to chair inquiry on social impact of irrigation cuts

Indians defeat cowboys

Behind India’s UNSC victory

India also forged a partnership with Portugal, a new ally of India on the UN stage. Both made it to the Security Council, and Canada had to withdraw in favour of the Iberian nation, another sign of changing times.

Basin plan 'grossly exaggerated' says expert drip

Basin plan impact 'grossly exaggerated'

GFC II - Gillard's Financial Crisis

Outer [Sydney] suburbs struggle most with mortgages

The next worst region was the north-west - including Penrith, Mount Druitt, Blacktown and Richmond - where the figure was 2.37 per cent.

Msinformed "won" these areas in the Federal Elections.

Msinformed Julia

PM criticises [sic] Abbott over soldier case

She came, she sang, she conquered.

The voice of a century dead at 83

ALP fails again - mental health

Man charged with stabbing murder of son

ALP swings and roundabouts.

Swan joins Insiders

ALP leaks reports and we all go down the drain.

Timing won't subdue anger


Basin battlelines drawn

Will Julia be the death of Tony?

Julia

ALP indigenous museum pieces

Gallery offers an indigenous opening

Wild rivers row splits indigenous leaders