MARSDEN TO THE FORE.

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1919, Page 5

MARSDEN TO THE FORE.

(Co2itributed.)

There's going to be a lively time In Marsden, so I'm told, And the sitting member's got ..o sprint If the scat he means to hold. There are three opponents in the field, While others still may come; And when they all get on the job, They'll make old Mander hum. Their platforms all are different; And yet thy all agree The sitting man, with all hiy vim, Will soon be up a tree. They think the time is opportune, To make him take a rest; And ever with that end in view. They mean to do their best. Murdoch is a teacher keen, From Ruakaka Flat, A Progressive Independent, too — Just take it out of that. McLean, who's in the timber trade, Has felled many a noble tree; And as Independent Labour hails • From the town of Whangarei. Curtis—a man of many parts And also many charms— Intends to run the working man And all the little farms. But Mander thinks, as heretofore, He has put on many a pot, He'll deal out justice all around And dish the bloomin' lot. But what will happen in the end, With all the schemes afloat, Is just about as hard to pick ( As a winner on the tote. There'll be so many pai*ties And platforms to discuss, It won't be hard to make a slip, And fail to catch the ( 'bus. There's Holland, Frascr, Semple, All clever, keen and spry. Out to catch the little farmer, Like the spider caught the fly. Again there is the Welfare League, All honest men and true, Who like British tars will fight, For the old Red, Blue. The Soldiers' Association, too, Its national claims advance, And every true-born Britisher Should give the boys a chance. Then Reed and Parr and others With high ambitions soar, And think if a party they could lead The world Avould ask-no more. But if you must have true reform— As Christchureh knows full well— The only way you can succeed, Is to get it straight from Ell. The P.P. P A. will want to know * What the R.C.s are about; While the brewers go for State control To wipe the Probics out. Then Ward and Massey will be here, According to the news, Fresh from the scat of learning, With all the latest views. And what they'll say or what they'll do, No mortal man. can tell, They may surprise the whole caboose, And dumfounder M.P.L. They've done good work in England, They are loyal to the CroWir, And should be given every chance Before we turn them down. But the country's out for progress, And the rights of all mankind, And those who fail to take the lead Will be surely left behind. There may be Coalition, Or old parties strive to live, Or the National Government may hang on Till the country shakes the sieve. But whatever comes or whatever goes, Or the fii'turo may revoal, We can only trust to Providence And keep an even keel. —F.M.