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Story: Conscription, conscientious objection and pacifism

Anti-conscription conference, 1917

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Anti-conscription conference, 1917

Opposition to conscription was widespread. This photo shows the huge national anti-conscription conference held in Christchurch in March 1917. Among those taking part were Christian pacifists, socialists, Irish republicans and those with an ethical but non-religious opposition to the war.

Using this item

Hocken Collections, University of Otago

Reference: S12-007b

by Steffano Francis Webb

Permission of the Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page

Mark Derby, Conscription, conscientious objection and pacifism – Conscription, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/35687/anti-conscription-conference-1917 (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Mark Derby, published 18 May 2012.