| War and History Poetry posted July 31, 2011 |
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Thousands of stolen men became Kanakas.
The Kanakas (cane-cutters)
by Aussie
Pacific Islanders, perfect lifestyle
Child-like, trusting and free White traders used cunning and guile Spirited families away - took them to sea. Promised a wage, food for all Ten hours a day, whipped endlessly Cutting cane, stacking and burning; white man's call Worked them mercilessly. Acres of land - sugar cane Kanakas - early Queensland forced labour Forty years of slavery - never the same Lost their lives to white mans favour. Ebony skins - beautiful mannequins Kanakas were released in 1903 Beautiful men and their gins Released from slavery for all eternity. |
 Recognized |
Australian English and grammer:
Kanakas: A rude Hawaiian term for 'boy'.
Gin: Female Islanders.
1863-1891: 46,387 South Sea Islanders were stolen from their homes and forced into slave labour in the cane fields of Queensland. They were told they would be under a three year contract, receiving $12 a year. Instead, they were beaten and starved and forced to work ten hour days.
Back-breaking labour cutting sugar cane in Queensland, Australia. My City of Maryborough had the highest death rate. March 1880 - 92% of 1,000 Kanakas died from consumption, typhoid and dysentery. Queensland had 9,000acres of cane at that time. In 1901 Parliament passed a bill to stop the Kanakas being used to cut cane because the whites were losing jobs? I love Maryborough, hate her past. Sugar cane is today a main source of income for Queensland.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Kanakas: A rude Hawaiian term for 'boy'.
Gin: Female Islanders.
1863-1891: 46,387 South Sea Islanders were stolen from their homes and forced into slave labour in the cane fields of Queensland. They were told they would be under a three year contract, receiving $12 a year. Instead, they were beaten and starved and forced to work ten hour days.
Back-breaking labour cutting sugar cane in Queensland, Australia. My City of Maryborough had the highest death rate. March 1880 - 92% of 1,000 Kanakas died from consumption, typhoid and dysentery. Queensland had 9,000acres of cane at that time. In 1901 Parliament passed a bill to stop the Kanakas being used to cut cane because the whites were losing jobs? I love Maryborough, hate her past. Sugar cane is today a main source of income for Queensland.
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