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Student Stewards—'Scabs'

(By "One of Them.")

"Y'ill be branded for Life it y'er sign on and all y'r kids 'll be —s." This interesting piece of news was handed out to us by a few of the strikers who followed us away from the wharf. But we did sign on, poor "kids," and we did get to Sydney, which, after all, was what we were after. Politics were not given a thought. The chance of a free trip had come along and we snatched at it.

Out of sight of New Zealand the seas got up, and down went the passengers and crew! Stewards, pan rymen, deck-hands, and firemen, all branches of the ship's company were affected. About three-parts of the providores were laid low, and those left on deck had to do all the work. Luckily, very few of the passengers came through unscathed, so it cut both ways There was less work to be done.

Few people know it, hut on Sunday night, going over, the fires went out and the ship had to stop for lack of steam, The stokers were so sick that they forgot to heat up the oil fuel. That night, too the "working-alley" was flooded, and in the morning a small lake eight inches deep stretched from the engineers' quarters to the first pantry. The night-watchmen, one of them an ex-student, had neglected their duty, and we had to bail it out, a mixture of sea and garbage, All "squelchy" between the toes!

There were only eight men aboard who could possibly have heen called Students. Four of them were' ex-students; the other four are still on the 'Varsity books. 'Tis indeed strange how so few can cause so much comment.

To correct a few mistaken impressions. The conditions are not so bad as they are painted by those who have never worked under them. The food is excellent—the same as that given to the passengers, in fact. "Scabs" do not eat dog-biscuits, as Rome would have us believe, and the pay is very good. Especially when tips are taken into consideration, £5 on the Sydney-Wellington run alone is not bad!

Steaming slowly into our berth in Sydney, we were passed by the ferries, and from their decks were welcomed with cheers. Please note, O Communisti, cheered, not mobbed, as you predicted. The crowd were pleased to see us. The Aussies did not think the new award harsh.

From the pond the Bridge is most unimposing. We were all disappointed. To one who has not been out of New Zealand before, the first thing that strikes one is the immense size of' the town and the buildings. The hurry and bustle. Everyone looks though he has some purpose in life. The department stores, one-way traffic, the taxis, everything the same as we have it here, yet, somehow, different. No. the bridge does not impress one till one has been over it. The bar in the Hotel Australia took our breath away! About half as long again as the Gym—a bar on either side down the whole length— and the barmaids! And then on round the town. the University buildings—huge grounds and beautiful buildings; the underground. State Theatre. Hyde Park—and its inhabitants, and a hundred and one other sights which can be picked out of any guide books, but would take hours to describe.

The return was wonderful. Not even a decent roll on to liven things up. The greasers did their best, certainly. One of the bearings heated up and all but seized; however, a bucket of water soon fixed that. My God! If I had the chance I would "scab" to-morrow. I am not going to have any children, so what does it matter?