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Kiwi songs - Maori songs - Home Christian socialist Walter Nash (born 1882) became a Labour party MP in 1929, Minister of Finance in Michael Joseph Savage's post-Depression 1st Labour government in 1935, Leader of the Opposition in 1951, and Prime Minister of the 2nd Labour Government in 1957, when he was 76. When Walter Nash was 71 They said his public life was done. When Walter Nash was 72 They said the poor old chap was through. But at 73 and 74 He kept on knocking at the door To show us all at 75 That he was very much alive. When Walter Nash was 76 He turned up trumps in politics. And when he came to 77 He booked for Poole (?) instead of for heaven. And we can hardly bear to wait To see you what he does at 78. So shout hooray for Mr Nash Who never, never sought to stash Dashing here and flashing there Our Walter travels everywhere. Some folks think he's far too rash And squanders all our hard earned cash But give him time to work it out Our Walter knows what he's about. Yes sir! Willow
Macky, 1958
In the 1950s, New Zealand's wool, 
mutton
and butter exports made it one of the
richest countries in the world, but in his second year
as Prime
Minister, Mr Nash increased taxes
to improve housing and education, develop industries
and increase social welfare payments. His "Black
Budget" was very unpopular, and Labour were voted out
in the 1958 election.Socialists did not regain power until Norman Kirk's 3rd Labour Government in 1972. Its team continued the reform work of the Michael Joseph Savage and Walter Nash administrations in overseas trade, farming, public works, energy generation, local government, health, the arts, sport and recreation, regional development, environmental protection, education, housing, and social welfare. Guitar Chords
G When Walter Nash was 71
They D7 said his public life was G done When
Walter Nash was 72
They D7 said the poor old chap was G through But at C 73 and G 74 He D7 kept on knocking G at the door To C show us all at G 75 That D7 he was very much a- G-live. When Walter Nash was 76 He D7 turned up trumps in G politics. And when he came to 77 He D7 booked for Poole instead of for G heaven. And C we can hardly G bear to wait To D7 see you what he does at G 78. So C shout hooray for Mr Nash Who D7 never never sought to G stash C Dashing here and dashing there Our D7 Walter travels every-G-where. C Some folks think he's far too G rash And D7 squanders all our hard earned G cash But C give him time to G work it out Our D7 Walter knows what he's G about. C Yes G sir! |
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