U.S. LIBERTY MEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1925, Page 1

U.S. LIBERTY MEN.

AT HOAIE IN AUSTRALIA. PERSONAL VIEWS. (Sydney "Herald.”) “This,” said a diminutive member of the lower deck, as he gazed meditatively at a large glass mug of beer, “is how d’you call it this side."' Oh, I have it —a bit of orlriglit!” After a long satisfying sip he resumed. “Ale mother was Irish and me father a Cockney, and I was barn in N’ Yark just twenty-three years ago, and 1. was, as you might- say, brought up on beer; but it’s solemn truth, sircc, that I’ve not had a stronger drink that a cup of cocoa since March, 1924. At Honolulu there was only jackass brandy and liellfirc whisky, and 1 left ’em alone. We didn’t get shore leaf at Pago Pago, so 1 don’t know what that kava-kuva Stuff is like. But this is home.” Another long sip.

“Look, siree, no we were told to use the word cobber—is that right f” A nod satisfied him. “1 came ashore at 1 o’clock. It’s striking 3 now. Well, my first two hours in Australia have been worth all the rest ol the voyage put together. Say, I’ve 40 dollars iu the hank already, and when T can pile up a few more and get my discharge this country’ll do me for the rest of my nachrel.” His “brass-rag,” who was tall and thin, nodded in approval. “Do me, too,” lie muttered. “I’m only a kid.” volunteered the first speaker, “hut me churn lie’s been all over the world, and if he says Aus-. trail a’II do liiin that settles it. See you again when this cruise is finished. We’re coming here for keeps.” They are great on dancing—these American sailors —and from the moment most of them, put their foot on shore they wanted to know where the Palais Royal was and how to get there. They got there all right in hundreds. They can dance as experts. Going out in a Coogec tram about 8 o’clock a number of them in a compartment were anxious to know why they should disembark at Clovehtndxireet. “That’s where the Palais Royal is.” said the conductor. “What’s the fare:'” demanded one of the visitors. “Nothing to any of you.” replied the conductor. “Say. this is some country, ’ chipped in another. ”D’ vuu mean to say wo’re Iranked on your trolly ears while we’re here!'” “Sure. Bud,” said the conductor with a grin, and passed on to collect fares from ordinary travellers. And how the liberty men patronised the picture shows, the theatres, and other places of amusement. Though most of the ships have their own cinemas, von can’t pick up iresh films by wireless, and so they piled into the pictures to see the latest. Their own police patrols had nil easy time Six o’clock closing was mainly responsible for that, and behaviour of (lie liberty men, even after having been parted from drink for 17 months, was exemplary.