The Italian Miner: by Jackanddandy

This following verse shows the strong feelings held by the local miners about the influx of Italian and Slav workers to the Goldfields.

The Italian Miner:

Italian Miners, Gwalia

The Murchison Advocate 3 May 1902
(Respectfully dedicated to Bewick Moreing and Company)

There’s a firm that lives in London that runs this blessed field,
From Yalgoo through to Mt Magnet on to Cue,
And eastwards out to Lawlers – any mine that’s any good
They own; and thousands know my words are true.

Now the head directors Dago and he ships them out in scores,
The dirty low wage Dagos they are thick in every town
Better stay right here and fight them, lads instead of killing Boers,
Lest you lose your golden homeland, let them take it lying down.

The Afghan sticks to camels and the Jap he washes clothes,
But the Dago gets to mining and he stays
Gets the firewood contracts also and the charcoal and the sand,
Takes your living from you with his pretty ways.

It’s time to make a move lads, either shift the brutes or shift,
This will be no white man’s country in a year;
Block them landing in the country, treat them as you would the plague,
Look up your vote and make your member hear.

By Jackanddandy

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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