Well that's ok then, SteeleRedux.

>>You will get no anti-globalisation rant from me...<<

But this is a total red herring:

>>NZ has enacted anti-dumping safeguards far more robustly than Australia, so by your measure are they being utopian, nationalistic and jingoistic?<<

I was discussing import replacement. See here:

>>The concept that we can produce all the things we need and want through the sweat of our own brow and the strength of our own calloused hand, without severe social repercussion, is pure Utopia.<<

Anti-dumping legislation is conducted - even in "robust" New Zealand - while observing the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement.

http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/19-adp_01_e.htm

There is a big difference between the enaction of anti-dumping laws, and the utopian view that we don't need to import anything.

Well onthebeach's offering had me going back to my Paterson books. Knowing the man as I thought I did from his writings I just couldn't fathom Banjo having written something of that ilk.

And it turns out he didn't. My fault for not clicking the link provided. The author is Bernard De Silva.

I am all for the Bush Poetry tradition to thrive in this country and I invite people to read Banjo's 'Introduction To Old Bush Songs' where he explores what had become a well recognised part of Australian tradition even in his time.

He says “It is interesting to see how the progress of settlement is referenced in the various songs.”

He later writes “Next in the order come the ballads of the days when the squatters had established themselves, and the poorer classes found it harder to live. “The Squatter's Man” is a ballad of those harder times.”

Here it is, author unknown;

Come, all ye lads an’ list to me,
That’s left your homes an’ crossed the sea,
To try your fortune, bound or free,
   All in this golden land.

For twelve long months I had to pace,
Humping my swag with a cadging face,
Sleeping in the bush, like the sable race,
   As in my song you’ll understand.

Unto this country I did come,
A regular out-and-out new chum.
I then abhorred the sight of rum —
   Teetotal was my plan.

But soon I learned to wet one eye —
Misfortune oft-times made me sigh.
To raise fresh funds I was forced to fly,
   And be a squatter’s man.

Soon at a station I appeared.
I saw the squatter with his beard,
And up to him I boldly steered,
   With my swag and billy-can.

I said, “Kind sir, I want a job!”
Said he, “Do you know how to snob
Or can you break in a bucking cob?
Whilst my figure he well did scan.

Cont...

Cont...

“’Tis now I want a useful cove
To stop at home and not to rove.
The scamps go about – a regular drove —
   I ’spose you’re one of the clan?

But I’ll give ten, ten, sugar an’ tea;
Ten bob a week, if you’ll suit me,
And very soon I hope you’ll be
   A handy squatter’s man.

“At daylight you must milk the cows,
Make butter, cheese, an’ feed the sows,
Put on the kettle, the cook arouse,
   And clean the family shoes.

The stable an’ sheep yard clean out,
And always answer when we shout,
With ‘Yes, ma’am,’ and ‘No, sir,’ mind your mouth;
   And my youngsters don’t abuse.

“You must fetch wood an’ water, bake an’ boil,
Act as butcher when we kill;
The corn an’ taters you must hill,
   Keep the garden spick and span.

You must not scruple in the rain
To take to market all the grain.
Be sure you come sober back again
   To be a squatter’s man.”

He sent me to an old bark hut,
Inhabited by a greyhound slut,
Who put her fangs through my poor fut,
   And, snarling, off she ran.

So once more I’m looking for a job,
Without a copper in my fob.
With Ben Hall or Gardiner I’d rather rob,
   Than be a squatter’s man.

Banjo's writings reflect this egalitarian sentiment, with Clancy outwitting squatters, poems of striking shearers and underdogs like the man from Snowy River ultimately triumphing.

So my point is that 'bush ballads' may well be an venerable Australian tradition and one that is open to all, whatever their political bent. But we should always let Banjo's words speak for the man. Some of his words may be distasteful when seen through today's eyes but we acknowledge they were of the time. He was though a great Australian writer and a thoroughly rewarding read.

Dear pericles,

I disagree it is a red herring.

Perhaps it might be instructive to hear what you mean by “without severe social repercussion”.

If the aim is to provide goods to the Australian population at the cheapest possible price then anti-dumping laws surely are an impediment to that goal. In fact the 'august' organisation the IPA opines;

“If the AWU was concerned with all Australians they would campaign to eliminate anti-dumping laws. Lower prices and a more competitive economy benefit unionists and non-unionists alike.”
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/44370.html

Is this the line you are taking?

'Banjo' Patterson and other Australian authors and poets were part of the Australian culture of my childhood and youth.

Many times on these forums Australian Culture is mentioned; I wonder what it is?

Dear SteeleRedux,

I grew up with Banjo Patterson.
Who can forget the classics like
"The Man from Snowy River," and
"Clancy of the Overflow?"

I've used so many of his poems written for
children for
my children's - Storytime Sessions, taken
from the book, "The Animals Noah Forgot,"
poems like, "A Bush Christening,"
"Weary Will," "Fur and Feathers," to name just
a few. I love -

"The Boastful Crow and the Laughing Jack
Were telling tales of the outer back;
"I've just been travelling far and wide,
At the back of Bourke and the Queensland side;
There isn't a bird in the bush can go
As far as me," said the old black crow..."