A Hop Through Australia's History |
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1890 - The Great Maritime Strike
Marine officers want more pay,
Decide to form the M.O.A.
Upset employers ballyhoo,
Get together, form F.E.U.
The Trades Hall Council shouts cooee,
The M.O.A. joins the T.H.C.
The F.E.U. angered, very,
Locks the M.O.A. off ship and ferry.
Exploited shearers' A.S.U.,
Oppressed miners' A.M.A. too,
Decide to aid the M.O.A.
And throw F.E.U. into disarray.
The F.E.U. now tries to destroy
The A.M.A.'s case but gets no joy.
Emboldened by T.H.C. cash,
Soon M.O.A. and F.E.U. clash.
Test case! Test case! A.M.A. strike,
A.S.U. join in, sportsmanlike.
Scared F.E.U. calls P.A.C.,
While Unions form a Defence Committee.
A.M.A. mad declares coal black,
F.E.U. sees no turning back.
A.S.U. arms, sheep go berserk,
Fifty thousand refuse to work.
Supporters mass, country divides,
Vic. and N.S.W. take sides.
The Riot Act's read at Circular Quay,
And employer wins over employee.
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![[RT pic]](/robert.jpg)