Obituary: Ron Stone

We learn from comrades ‘Down Under’ of the death in Western Australia in June of Ron Stone. Originally from Dover in Britain, he was an active supporter of the World Socialist Movement in Australia. His cartoons, mocking politicians and royalty, appeared in the Socialist Comment which the World Socialist Party of Australia published in the 1980s as well as, later, in the Socialist Standard. He was also something of a poet:

Wage Restraint

It was a crisis day in Parliament.

The House was hushed and still

As a Member rose with a Question:

‘Are we doomed to go downhill?’

‘I am confident of an upturn,’

The P.M. made reply.

‘If workers’ pay is held at bay

We’ll all be home and dry.’

‘How True ! How True!’ cried the workers,

‘Let’s end our silly strike.

We don’t want more money …

You can stick it where you like.’

 

‘Thank Heavens!’ yelled the bosses,

‘There’s faith on the factory floor

And now we have this extra loot

We’ll give it to the poor.’

They picked up all the money

And ran on eager feet

And pressed their surplus profits

On the people in the street.

They moved among the dole queues

And boarded every bus

With tear-filled eyes and heart-felt cries,

‘You need this more than us.’

 

Soon all the people prospered,

The Devil became a saint

Now that the wicked unions

Had exercised restraint.

The cities were filled with singing

And the sounds of laughter spread

As hand took hand in this golden land …

And pigs flew overhead.