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<p>[Page 79]</p><p>and was sent to London by the government to "assist with" the referendum. The party most interested in preventing conscription, the Labor Party, wanted to send its own man to London, a Mr Austey, one of the few truly non-corrupt Labor politicians, but the government blocked his visa. Yet Austey, disguised as coal heaver, made it to England anyway and got in touch with the Tommies before the referendum. Thus the fairly certain "no" became a reduced "no" but not a "yes". Similar shenanigans happen in all political issues and endeavours.</p><p>Salaries in Australia are pretty amazing. While the cost of living may be higher in Australia than in some parts of Europe, the lowliest street sweeper was paid at least 14s a day even before the war. Maids receive at least 30s a week, and only very wealthy families can afford a household help. All workers, no matter what trade or category,</p>