Slap Dash!

The Agent-General says that British buyers, are losing confidence in Victorian fruit growers, because of their carelessness in packing and grading fruit.

"Sling it in the box, Bill!
    Act a wriggle on
Never mind the speckled rind!
    Wot yer doin', John?
Don't be silly! Gradin 'em!
    Chuck 'em in the case!
If we ain't done by 'alf past one
    We'll miss the second race!"

"Slap-dash!" That's the style,
    That's 'ow father did.
They never came no fancy name
    When I was just a kid.
Fancy labels? 'Ave a 'eart!
    They ain't no good to eat!
The bloke is slow 'oo doesn't know
    The fruit is just as sweet.

"Bugk 'em in the box, Bill
   Big an' little too!
If folk should frown in London town,
    Wot's that to me an' you?"
Why should we try to please the eye
    Of coots with fancy socks!
We ain't got time to pick the prime
    Bung 'em in the box!"

"Slap-dash!" 'Twas ever so.
    Can't they understand
That little touch that means so much
    To them—and all the land?
While other nations size the trade,
    Australia takes the knocks,
And ever will while her cry still
    Is "Shove 'em in the box!"