Mister Chairman; – er – ah – when
We right-thinking business men
Are treated with much scant – um – er – civility,
I say the time has come
For us to – er – ah – um –
To defend our rights and – er – respectability.
We are right, sir, to defend
Our interests. And the trend
Of present legislation is – fantastic, sir.
That is – er – the only word
To describe it. It’s absurd!
And calls for opposition – um – er – drastic, sir!
And – ah – sir. I think I can
Say this meeting to a man
Is distinctly Anti-Sosh and – er – and sensible;
And holds that Labor aims
And Socialistic claims
Are visionary and – um – reprehensible.
We are ready to resist
The – ah – rabid Socialist,
Who’s as great an anarchist as any Russian, sir!
And the Labor party’s laws
Are tyrannical! (Applause.)
Which – er – brings me to the subject of discussion, sir.
Regarding telephones:
The Labor Party (Groans)
Seems to think it can oppress us with impunity.
But I hold, sir, it is plain
That the benefits we gain
Should be paid for by – that is – the whole community!
As an Anti-Socialist,
Mister Chairman, I insist –
(If that gentleman who interjected recently
Will endeavour to restrain
His impatience, I’ll explain.
I’d remind him we conduct these meetings decently).
Mister Chairman, to resume.
When I look around this room
On the members of this – er – great society,
And consider we’ve to pay
For these benefits, I say
It’s – er – bordering on – um – on impropriety!
The – er – people, sir, should bear –
(What’s that? … I protest, sir! Chair!
This – er – person who seems bent upon confusing me
With his most unseemly din –
I don’t know how he got in –
Cannot shake my argument, sir, by abusing me.)
And I answer him, sir, Bosh!
Bosh! How dare he call me Sosh!
Our position is invinc – er – ah – invincible!
His remarks, sir, I resent,
And I hold my argument
Is a basic principle of – um – of principle!
As my worthy friend, Bruce Smith
(Bosh sir! … Petriana myth! …
Six hitters! … Marriage tie! … er – Confiscation, sir!
Um – er – break up fam’ly ties! …
Lies, sir! Socialistic lies!
Alarming capital and immigration, sir!)
Now – (Eh! … Order! Sir, I claim
Your protection! What’s his name?
Is this man a member? Sir, show your authority!
An imposter, I’ve no doubt.
Ha, I thought so! Put him out!)
Now the motion … Carried! by a large majority.
(C J Dennis)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Time Poems, Friendship Poems, Name Poems, People Poems, Anger Poems, Lies & Deceit Poems, Doubt & Skepticism Poems, Present Poems, Labor Poems, Marriage PoemsBased on Keywords: rabid, socialist, opposition, civility, chairman, bordering, tyrannical, abusing, bosh, legislation, respectability