THE CORNISH CLAYSTRIKE - THE WHITE COUNTRY DISPUTE PROCEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO THE CENTRAL STRIKE FUND 1913
Perhaps its interesting, and I guess that you would like
to hear an account of the CORNISH CLAY STRIKE:
Well, the men at CARNE STENTS first to down to down tools,
And for taking that action were counted as fools.
But as you see their policy proved a blessing in disguise,
and has proved to the world that they really were wise,
VIRGINIA men were next, and they HAD THE NERVE
and around the FAL VALLEY they all did serve.
To KERNICK and TRETHOSA their course then they took
and down in those pits the crowd did look;
But the men were ignorant of the union resolution .
The great problem to them simply had no resolution.
Well then, friend, I think that they passed by GOONVEAN
and held a great meeting at the bottom of NANPEAN.
The organisers went there the strikers to meet
They stood on the hedge and the man on the street.
At FOXHOLE we setteled next morning to meet
The old scheme of wages we had to defeat;
For wages at present only just keep us alive
and now we are determined to reach "TWENTY FIVE".
The course we then took was a place called LANJETH,
And when we got there we were just out of breath,
But whilst waiting there a kind of friend we found,
Who opened his gate and in the field we sat down.
By the leaders, on the ground, some speeches were given,
And by the time they had done, the clock struck eleven
After some consultation as to the course we should take
The men were unanimous for BLACKPOOL to make.
In the China Clay area the motors are near flying,
To starve out the men the employers are trying,
But the Cornish are solid and determined to fight
To get the twenty -five shillings which they think is their right.
The world is now watching with an anxious eye,
T o help these gallant claymen we hope you will try.
There is just one word more and then I have done -
Please give a donation to the Strike Relief Fund.........
It is my pleasure, dear friends, to write part number two
of the China Clay Strike, which we have passed through.
Well after a month's struggle it commenced to rain
So the employers did their utmost to get back their men.
For these heavy showers helped fill in the pits
And just frightened the poor fellows into fits
Then the next move was to import some hundred of police
Who would have us to believe they were sent to keep peace.
So all through the dispute ran the spirit of peace
Until it was broken by the GLAMORGAN police
Who 1 irnagine fell in love too much with the barrel
And then John Barleycorn soon induced then' to quarrel
The Glamorgan police were all watching their tricks,
And demanded the pickets to give up their sticks,
When they caught a small number down in a by-lane,
They acted like demons or men gone insane.
Poor Vincent, our leader, was the first they attacked,
Was trundgeoned and batoned and his poor head they cracked;
I suppose they then left him by the roadside for dead
But they couldn't kill his spirit though they opened his head.
Well, six weeks had passed, and I would just like to note
That we decided to ballot and let the men vote;
The men were out against their will was the constant report,
So we wanted to the public 'twas a false report'.
After taking their vote proved twasn't so;
To go to work two thousand two hundred and fifty eight said "No".
To go back on the old conditions this was the best,
One five hundred and sixty-eight voted yes.
Well, after ten weeks of hard fighting, we decided to retreat,
But some may claim it to be a defeat,
We are not downhearted, Boys, no not yet,
For an advance in wages we hope soon to get.
So boys join the workers union
And win the victory next time,
And if you'll promise to do so, why then I'll end my rhyme,
To see you all in the union is just what we would like,
Then we could settle by arbilration and thus avoid a strike.
