Canada and Conscription
The Canadian plebiscite has resulted in a very large majority, probably about two to one on the final count, in favour of releasing the Government from its election pledge not to enforce conscription for service overseas. It was only among the French-speaking voters of Quebec Province, who have always believed in the efficacy of the voluntary system, that there was a majority the other way. There the negative vote was heavy, except in Montreal. Having given his undertaking at the general election Mr. Mackenzie King felt that nothing but a direct mandate from the people would enable him to take the course which all parties now feel to be necessary. Up to now the war effort has not been handicapped by this limit on compulsion. Conscription for home service was introduced nearly two years ago, and training of Canada's men has gone on steadily ; and there have been volunteers in plenty to send overseas all who could be equipped and transported. But now that the Dominion has reached the point when the whole of her man-power must be scientifically divided between the fighting services and the splendidly productive war industries, it is a great advantage to the Government to have full powers in dispose of it as it likes. The vote is a sign of the determination of the people to leave nothing undone which can help the prosecution of the war.
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