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

1937 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Nationalist and Leinster Times, 25.12.1937

The Irish Farmers’ Federation

Dear Sir. On reading an issue of your paper about ten days ago I was glad to see the farmers of Coolmoyne and Fethard Co-Operative Society have given the lead to their fellow farmers in County Tipperary by forming a branch of the Irish Farmers’ Federation.

During the past two years hardly a week goes by without some reference in the Press to the necessity for the farmers of the Irish Free State to organise, and that a National non-political organisation was necessary. I would be grateful if you will publish this letter in your next issue, as I have been working for the past five years to bring the farmers into an organisation for their own benefit, and on the invitation of the Wicklow farmers we had several conferences in Dublin with farmers from fourteen counties and formed the Irish Farmers’ Federation on 3rd March, 1937. The Irish Farmers’ Federation is a registered Trade Union and strictly non-political and non-sectarian, and we ask all Farmers’ Associations to affiliate to the Irish Farmers’ Federation as their central body to do for farmers what the Federation of Industries does for their members.

I know from correspondence I have had that farmers, particularly in the South, are suspicious of any farmers’ organisation from past experience, but perhaps, it was partly the farmer’s own fault for not taking an active interest in his organisation.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation does not want to dictate to any Farmers’ Association or Vocational Association, but simply as a combination of them and in all their names to become the Central Body, and by having all interests united to work together for the benefit of agriculture. Our united voice must be heard. The farmers have depended too long on politicians to help them; they must pull together and help themselves or they will be forced to abandon their homes and seek a living in a foreign land. I hope many branches of the IFF will be formed in County Tipperary before long and any help my Executive can give we are only too pleased to do so. I am in touch with 20 Counties now.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary. Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow.

15th December, 1937.

About the digital edition

This volume of Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s writings and speeches is divided into four parts. The first section comprises 321 texts written by her. The second part contains 150 speeches and statements by Bobbett, most of which were published in newspapers. Part 3 contains 727 texts written about Bobbett by contemporaries of her or addressed to her. Finally, Part 4 is a collection of 50 source texts that are important for understanding Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s activism. Parts 3 and 4 will be made available online in March 2027.

Suggested citation

Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Nationalist and Leinster Times, 25.12.1937, in: Peter Moser (ed.), In her own Words. The Writings of Elizabeth F. Bobbett (1898-1971). Farmer, Feminist and Public Figure, Bern, 2026, https://www.histoirerurale.ch/editions/pages/bobbett/1937-12-25-25.html, consulted on .

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