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

1936 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 15.08.1936

Facts for Farmers

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, County Secretary, United Farmers’ Association, writes enclosing copy of a letter sent from her Association to Dr. James Ryan on 22nd July and for which she received an official acknowledgment. Since sending that letter I have, she writes, been informed that the price of “Binder Twine” is further increased to one shilling a ball on last year’s prices, making an increase of 12s per cwt. “Binder Twine” is no small item in the farmer’s cost of harvesting. Further, there has been an increase of 2s per 10 stone sack on flour – 10s per ton on pollard; 12s 6d per ton on cooked-maize mixture; £1 per ton on flake meal during the past fortnight and about 30s per ton on bran since last year. Bacon has increased 10s per cwt., while the price fixed for bacon pigs has been reduced for the farmer. It is about time the farmers raised their voices and demand a price for their produce which will give them a decent living in their own country. We are told we are getting more for our grain and butter, etc., than the English farmer, but it is omitted to state that the English farmer is de-rated, while the rates in Irish Free State continue to rise.