MARSDEN.

Observer, Volume XXXIX, Issue 48, 2 August 1919, Page 17

MARSDEN.

There's going to-be a lively time In Marsden, so I'm told, And the sitting member's got to sprint . If the seat 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 Marsden hum. Their platforms slightly differ; And yet they all agree The sitting member with all his 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, v man of many parts, And also many charms, Intends to run the working man And all the little farms. Hut Mander thinks, as. heretofore, He has put on many a pot; He'll be fair and square to everyone And dish the bloomin , lot. 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 parties, .And new platforms to discuss, It won't be hard to make a slip And fail to catch the 'bus. jriiere's Holland, Frasor, Soinpk, All clever, cute and spry, Out to catch tlie 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, white, and blue.

Tiie Soldiers' Association, too, its national claims advance, And every true bora Britisher Should give the boys a chance. While Heed and Parr and others, With high ambitions soar, And think if a party they could lead The world would ask no more. Tint if you must have true reform, As Christchurch knows full well, The only way you can succeed Is to get it straight from Ell. The P.P.A.'s will want to know What the R.G.s are about, While the brewers go for State Control To wipe the Probies out. Then Ward and Massey will be here, According to the news, Fresh from the seat 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 dumfound M.P. Ell. They've done good work in England, They are loyal to the crown, And should be given every chance Before we turn them down. But the country's out for progress, And the rights of all mankind, xitid those who fail to take the lead Will be surely left behind. There may be coalition, Or old parties may strive to live, Or the National Government may hang on Till the country shakes the sieve. But whatever comes or whatever goes, Or the future may reveal, We can only trust in Providence And keep an even keel. —T.M.