Ripeness Is All

Differences within the Labour party on Far Eastern defence policy are no more than differences of timing.

—Mr Michael Stewart.

What the pundits never knew is,

Are we staying East of Suez?

Shall we go or shall we stay?

Hear what the Australians say.

Shall we stay or shall we go?

Labour lefties answer No.

Bases in the Indian Ocean Seem to some the proper notion.

Some would scuttle. Rather more Want to stay in Singapore.

Stiffs would like us to be stiffer—

Seem to think opinions differ.

Mr Stewart's simple creed Says we're really all agreed.

Yes and No, he says sublimly, Each are true when each is timely.

Ripeness is all, the masters claim.

Then In and Out become the same.

CHRISTOPHER HOLLIS