One hundred years ago this week in khaki-minded Australia, it took courage to speak up against war.
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Melbourne's pacifist The Woman Voter was horrified by two riots in three nights.
"FREE SPEECH AND SOLDIERS."
"On Sunday, John F. Hills, speaking against war from a Christian, Quaker standpoint, was mobbed, and for some time was in great danger of his life. The previous Friday night an anti-war meeting held by Mr. Hills was roughly broken up, women were struck and mobbed, police interference was necessary, and the speakers got a hint of what was in hand for Sunday.
"[Sunday's disturbance] was preconcerted by the same band of ruffians in soldiers' uniforms . . . The maddened brutes tore up some posts and endeavoured to bring them down on the heads of Hills and his defenders. Only mounted troopers coming to the rescue saved them.
"It is not only a question of an indecent outrage against John Hills, but a question of an assault on freedom of speech by a set of roughs, who, because they have put on a soldier's uniform, consider that in the act they have become omnipotent, while the civilian has lost whatever rights he ever had.
"After Sunday's meeting, one was heard to declare: 'They won't hold any more of their meetings now; we've put an end to them.' But this kind of being can never comprehend the spirit which inspires such a man as John Hills, who would unflinchingly face death in what he considered was the pursuance of his Christian duty."