On this day, 28 October 1916, conscription to the army in Australia during World War I was narrowly defeated in a referendum by 51% to 49%. Labour prime minister Billy Hughes, a former union leader, had vigorously attempted to introduce conscription. He blamed the revolutionary union the Industrial Workers of the World for the defeat. The IWW had been extremely active in opposing conscription and the war. Hughes responded by banning the organisation and arresting and jailing many of its members and activists. A second referendum was held the following year, and defeated by an even bigger margin.
Find out more in our podcast episode 19 about the Australian IWW here: https://workingclasshistory.com/2019/01/28/e19-the-iww-in-australia/ https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1840778182773990/?type=3