Abstract
A key impetus behind establishing the New Zealand Labour Party during 1916 had been to present a more unified front against conscription. Yet in 1940, it was the First Labour Government – comprising several leaders of the 1916–1918 resistance – that decided men should again be compelled to serve. While recent studies have described this as a swift and reluctant change in attitudes occasioned by the Allied defeats in France, numerous documents and speeches suggest otherwise. Senior ministers had in fact accepted the notion of wartime conscription by 1938, before waiting for a moment when the political and military circumstances favoured its introduction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.