Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers

1936 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 04.04.1936

Farmers’ Organisation

I congratulate you on your article on the “Needs of organisation” by the Farmers in a recent issue of your paper.1 You say “if a farmers’ organisation were in existence which would interest itself solely in the needs of the farming community, it would soon make itself felt in the councils of the country”. Allow me to state that there is such an organisation in existence since 1931 namely, the United Farmers’ Protection Association, of which Mr. Patrick J. Gaffney is the honorary general secretary, at 49 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin. This association has been working very hard, and against much opposition on all sides, but it is making great headway. Many who were afraid it was a political organisation are now seeing that it is not political, and is out solely to help all farmers. You will see by the County Council reports in the issue of your paper of 21st instant, that this association made a strong case before the Wicklow County Council that the farmers must get relief in the rates this year. This association is the only representative body of farmers who went before the Banking Commission and gave valuable evidence and proof as to the treatment of farmers by the banks. We welcome the co-operation of the Beet Growers’, Pig Producers’, Milk Producers’ and any other Farmers’ Association which will help us to alleviate the farmers’ burden. I am a member of the association since 1932, and I firmly believe were it not for the efforts of the association many of us, farmers, would not be in our homes to-day.

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Honorary County Secretary.

1 - See Wicklow People, 21.03.1936.