Recruitment posters such as the one above, and the hotly debated conscription issue,
caused pressure on young men and divided a nation.

An unsourced news clipping states in part:

"Reproof for the O.L.P."

Mr J E Dodd, MLC, is probably the most generally esteemed of our Labour members of Parliament. His old political foes regard him with as much respect as those of his own political predilections. When the cleavage occurred in the Labour ranks over the conscription issue, Mr Dodd was on the side of the Empire.

Hence his ostracism by the Official Labour Party. Asked to give his views in regard to the issues before the electors at the present juncture, Mr Dodd did so with characteristic directness and honesty. The duty of Parliament and the Government, in his opinion is (1) "to do everything possible to aid the Empire in the present terrible crisis, (2) to do everything possible to help our soldiers and their dependents, (3) to adjust the finances in an equitable way, and (4) by wise administration to take such steps to encourage production and limit the cost of living as will best service the people".

Mr Dodd adds: "The National candidates who give adherence to these views, are in my humble opinion, most worthy of support. The party which refuses to join with the others, at a time like the present, and work for the common good, is not to be entrusted with the reins of Government". Fortunately there is no fear of such a party being returned to power in this State. The Official Labour Party has damned itself beyond possibility of redemption by its treachery to the fundamental principles of sane democracy and its shameless tyranny and intolerance. Its dietum that the minority must never express opinions different from those of the majority, or from the clique which temporarily happens to be in power, is subversive of all the canons of an enlightened freedom .."