ProvenanceOn 28 October 1916 a referendum was held on the issue of conscription for the Australian armed forces. The proposal for conscription was narrowly defeated. Another referendum was held in December 1917 on the same issue. Badges were produced to encourage and show support for both sides of the conscription campaigns.SignificanceIllustrative of the badges that were popular as a means of raising funds or showing support for particular organisations or causes. This and other associated badges are a rich source of evidence on the material and cultural history of Australia, particularly during wartime. The symbols, colours and mottoes used on the badges themselves also express ideas about the values and identity that Australians held in the early to mid-twentieth century.DescriptionCircular badge: printed paper between tin base and celluloid cover. Blue background. Marked 'Australians' 'No Conscription'. White map of Australia marked 'Labor' in red.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1916 - 1917Date of Usage1916 - 1917MaterialTin
|paper
|celluloid Accession NumberHT 1986.0065
