Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett
1937 Rathdrum, Meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation
Source: Wicklow People, 06.11.1937
In the Market Square, Rathdrum, on Monday evening last, fully 1’000 farmers listened to Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary to the Irish Farmers’ Federation, read out the following replies from the President, Ministers and county Deputies, who had been invited to attend a monster public meeting to hear the farmer’s grievances.
President Eamon de Valera: “Acknowledge the receipt of resolution.” Vice-President Sean T. O’Kelly, Minister for Local Government “acknowledge receipt of resolution.” Dr. James Ryan, Minister for Agriculture, no reply. The O’Mahony, TD, letter from Madam O’Mahony to say he was absent from home. Mr. Seamus Moore, FF Deputy: “Very grateful for the compliment.” When he replied to her in a previous letter, he expressed the belief that the FF organisation was representative of the farmers of the county, and that having close contact with it there was no need for him to encounter with any section outside. He had since had an opportunity of reading an account of their meeting and was convinced that the farmers who attended were not at all representative of the farmers of the county, and that their views would not in any way correspond with the views of either the agricultural community as a whole or any other section of the people. In the circumstances he could not see his way to attend the meeting they proposed to hold on 1st November. Voice: Oh, dear, oh dear, no chance for the farmers. Mr. James Everett, Labour Deputy: “Enclosed copy of motion which the Labour Party had tabled in An Dail, and if passed it would mean substantial relief for all residents in the rural areas. On the question of the price of produce he could only repeat that the Party desired to secure a profitable price for all agricultural produce so as to give farmers a fair return for their produce and to be enabled to have a higher wage paid to the labourers engaged in agriculture. If those objects were attained it would enable the agriculturalists to carry on and for the Government to secure a satisfactory settlement of the economic dispute.” The motion referred to calls for the refund by the Government to County Councils of the withheld grants since 1933.
Miss Bobbett said that since the meeting in Rathdrum and its publication she had received many congratulatory and supporting messages from other counties, some of which she read. They were all glad that Wicklow had set the lead and that the other counties were wakening up. A Dundalk writer said that their public meeting should congratulate the dairy farmers of the South on the stand they were making against the Minister for Agriculture. All farmers of the Free State should join in making this effort to break the chain that bound them so cruelly. They supplied the needs of everyone while they were deprived of the means to supply their own requirements. A County Meath writer, as one who had been stripped of every penny for annuities, with prospects of another seizure for rates, hoped for success in bringing the farmers together.