The Italian Miner

If you attened recent the talk by Dr Criena Fitzgerald at the WA Museum Kagoorlie-Boulder on the 18th November you would be interested to read the following verse from the Murchison Advocate in 1902. This pre dates the period that was covered in the talk, WW1, but it shows how the seeds of unrest and racial disturbance were laid well before this time. The Italians or ‘Dago’s’ which  included, Slavs, Croationas, Dalmations and Montenegrans were much maligned and throughout the following decades were treated very harshly. This verse is directed at Bewick Moreing which at the time was managed by Herbert Hoover who brought over many Italian workers direct from Italy who would work for lower pay. Large scale riots were to erupt in the 1920’s and 1930’s where the mob rule took over and lives were lost. Throughout these times it is evident through many first hand accounts that generally the Italians were well thought of and respected as hard workers.  Many married Australian girls or brought their wives and families from overseas to join them:-

Italian Miners

The Italian Miner:    The Murchison Advocate 3 May 1902 (Respectfully dedicated to Messers B.M. and Co., London (Bewick Moreing and Company)

There’s a firm that lives in London that runs this blessed field,
From Yalgoo through to Mt Magnet on to Cue,
And eastwards out to Lawlers – any mine that’s any good
They own; and thousands know my words are true

Now the head directors Dago and he ships them out in scores,
The dirty low wage Dagos they are thick in every town
Better stay right here and fight them, lads instead of killing Boers,
Lest you lose your golden homeland, let them take it lying down.

The Afghan sticks to camels and the Jap he washes clothes,
But the Dago gets to mining and he stays
Gets the firewood contracts also and the charcoal and the sand,
Takes your living from you with his pretty ways.

It’s time to make a move lads, either shift the brutes or shift,
This will be no white man’s country in a year;
Block them landing in the country, treat them as you would the plague,
Look up your vote and make your member hear.

Now the head directors Dago and he ships them out in scores,
The dirty low wage Dagos they are thick in every town
Better stay right here and fight them, lads instead of killing Boers,
Lest you lose your golden homeland, let them take it lying down.

By Jackanddandy

Gwalia Italian Miners

Dr Fitzgerald book ‘The Italians and Slavs on the Goldfields’ will be published early in 2016.