Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1937 Dunleer, Meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation

Source: Drogheda Independent, 24.04.1937

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Honorary Secretary of the Association, said the Association was only started ten months ago and up to that the farmers were practically divided. A lot had thought it was political, but when they found it wasn’t they joined up. Branches had now been started in twenty-three counties. If it hadn’t been for the agitation by the different counties they would not have got the increase in the price of wheat but she wasn’t saying by that that it was paying them to grow wheat. If it wasn’t for the milk strike, in which Louth played a prominent part, they would not have got an increase in the price of milk. Owing to that some farmers had suffered very much, as they were not allowed to supply more than a certain quantity. Were it not for the same agitation she didn’t think the levy would have been taken off the butter in the budget.

Continuing, she said the Agricultural Wages Bill was coming on, and when that came up the farmers would want to remember that members of their families were also engaged in the business, and that that should also be taken into consideration. She thought that what was wrong with farmers was that they were too proud to say that they hadn’t got money (applause).