OILY JOE COOK.

NZ Truth, Issue 74, 17 November 1906, Page 7

OILY JOE COOK.

When Reid's lieutenant, Joseph Cook, Was delving m the mine, His voice would ring m bitter tones Against the "Coal Comibine." Like Henry George, Cook held that men Had no exclusive right. To coal on land which God had made— Nor water and sunlight. When Joe- the "Davy" iamp, strapped on His forehead —then, his mates Entrusted him to battle for Much higher rates." They slaved and saved their hard-earned cash In order to. send Joe To Parliament to advocate An easier "row to hoe." But though at first some slight attempt This Lithgow miner made To remedy some grievances, He seemed to be afraid Lest he should ruffle landed sharks. Who flattered every loot— So well they knew the way to squelch This Oily Joseph Cook. When Joe looked from the pit towards The Parliament'ry zone, He advocated bursting bonds Which held us to the throne ; He bitterly denounced as thieves Tho men w/ho lived on rent, But now he sneers at Watson's schemes To tax land increment. How sad that men who once could hold The thorns back while we pass Should now bestrew the toiler's way With briars and broken glass ; Why did they change their sympathy For bitter cold neglect ?— Because they now eat better food, In better clothes are decked ! What puny hearts must throb within The breasts of men like these— When just a taste of better times Can cause their hearts to freeze ! How few, alas ! can firmly s-ay, "My principles I'll hold. No matter though m rags I go Or pass m cloth-o'-gold. So, I/ithgow miners, bear m mind To give this O"ily Joe Another dingy "Davy" lamp And diamonds black to hoe ; 'Tis wonderful how coal can cure Diseased or crannied minds-— You must not look, to men like Cook (To benefit mankind. ! JAMES HARRADINB, Leichhardt.