The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
First World War pro-conscription poster by cartoonist David Low. Depicts a war-weary woman sitting at a table with a ballot paper in front of her. The oversized boxes for 'Yes' and 'No' remain blank as she holds a pen up to her mouth, deep in thought. Hovering over her is a monstrously oversized Kaiser trying to sway her vote by pointing to the 'No' box as he whispers words of persuasion in her ear.
This poster was produced as part of the conscription campaign in Australia during the First World War. At the outbreak of war, the Defence Act in Australia supported conscription for home service only, not for service abroad. By 1916, the massive casualties and decline in volunteers saw a desperate shortage in men. Conscription for overseas service was furiously debated in Australia and the then Prime Minister Billy Hughes called two referendums, one in 1916 and another in 1917. Both were defeated, albeit narrowly in 1916. Campaigns for and against were vigilant, each side pushing its cause as more patriotic than the other. This poster also reflects Low's personal belief that the process of voluntary recruitment had become farcical and conscription was the only real means of ensuring a steady stream of recruits.
First World War pro-conscription poster by cartoonist David Low, published by John Sands Ltd. Depicts a smiling Kaiser holding a Berlin newspaper; the front page emblazoned with the text 'Kolossal Gew
Australian First World War poster concerned with the issue of conscription. As voluntary enrolments into the AIF fell after the initial enthusiasm of 1914, the conscription suggestion gained prominenc
Poster announcing the introduction of compuslory service in the Citizen Forces in Australia. This particular War Service Regulation preceded the defeat of the October 1916 conscription referendum by a
This series comprises correspondence relating to the 1917 federal election in Australia, as well as correspondence and official documents about the 1916 and 1917 referendums on conscription. The corre
Small circular pressed tinplate badge with a celluloid face and a pin attachment to the reverse. The word 'YES' is printed in red within a white map of Australia on a blue background. Australian vot
Proclamation announcing the activation of legislation which would allow the government to conscript men to the Citizen Forces. Although the legality of the proclamation was challenged, large numbers