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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 709, 3 January 1903, Page 2

THOSE HATTERS

“ As mad as an Orontes hatter ” is now a common phrase in Sydney, taking its origin from the bailing up of the imported hatters. Australian papers to hand teem with references to the matter, which, however, is likelv to prove a two-edged sword for the capitalist party, and give the Labor party a splendid cue for the forthcoming Federal elections. Prose writers and poets have abused Sir Edmund Barton. Otie clever poet has a long jingle, commencing in this fashion, by allusion to the Admiral and the Federal Governor

Sir Harry Rawson ! Are you there? Lord Tennyson, are you listening ? Please "come alone To the telephone ; I’ll set your eyes a-glistening ! You say your English, dont you, eh ? But what does Premier Barton say? Just pack your traps and leave today Unless you want re-christening ! You’re aliens, it appears to me, As everyone is said to he Who dares to come across the sea (Unless a horn Australian) ! For every man’s an alien Who’s not a horn Australian — The brown Hindoo,

The yellow man, too, And the big nigger on the Congo who Is black as soot From head to foot, Are alien —all alien !

And you, Sir Harry, yes, even you By all accounts arc alien too ! For the Governorship did you con tract In England, and in terms exact ?

You did, you say ? Then go away ! Because it is as clear as day You broke in substance and in fact The Alien Anglo-Saxon Act !

The Act, The Act, 'Phc silly little Act !

The Alien Anglo-Saxon Act ! When the whole thing is analysed, it appears that the Federal Premier simply complied with a reasonable law. Provision is made against the importation of contract labor, but certain exceptions are made, such as for skilled labor, for which a simple permit lias to be obtained. The importers of the labor did not take file trouble to ask for the permit, and, of course, tiie Federal Premier paid heed to those who raised objection to the landing. He has succeeded in placing the other side on the horns of a dilemma as people who advocate allowing the law to he ignored, a point which is being readily seized by the Labor party for future political use.