Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1939 Tullamore, Meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation

Source: Offaly Chronicle, 22.06.1939

Mr. Bermingham, in introducing Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, said: We have here to-day Miss Bobbett, who has come to tell us why farmers should organise. When we were thinking about inviting Miss Bobbett here to start a branch of the Farmers’ Federation I was asked why was it necessary to start a branch. Well, said Mr. Bermingham, I have been identified with farming for a big number of years, and I say, without fear of contradiction, that never before was there a greater need for organisation than to-day. (Hear, hear). I don’t think it would be right for me to detain you any longer. I have now much pleasure in introducing Miss Bobbett (Loud applause).

Miss Bobbett said she was sure they would all be disappointed that the speakers who were to come that day had not turned up; two men were to have come, but at the last minute they found that they could not attend. So that it was up to her to do the best she could. (Hear, hear). Continuing, she said that the Federation was now established in twenty-one counties, and it was their aim to have a branch in every county.

A man could hold any political opinion he wished, but in the Federation there was no politics. No TD or Senator could hold any office, but they were not debarred from ordinary membership.

The Federation aimed firstly at securing compensation for the losses sustained by farmers in the economic war. All farmers would agree that it was they who were in the front line trenches during that war, and it was only through organisation that they could get some recompense for what they had lost. If they did not stand together they would sink lower and lower, and that would happen no matter what Government was in power. (Hear, hear). Continuing, she said the present Government was elected largely on the votes of the farming community, and when the economic war was started the farmers acted most loyally, and now the Government should act loyally towards them.

Miss Bobbett went on to give the present prices of foodstuffs in comparison with the prices in 1914 and those the farmers were receiving for his produce. She quoted what Mr. Erskine Childers said in the Dail to the effect that the farmers must increase production. But how, she asked, could they increase production unless the Government came to their aid after the losses they had sustained in the economic war? They were asking for £1,000 for a farmer with £100 valuation, £300 for a man with £30 valuation.

Politicians were trying to make out that the Federation was out for the big farmer, but that was not so, because it was on the big farmer largely depended the living of the small farmer. She went on to speak on derating, and said that she presumed that the farmers in Offaly were in the same position regarding rates as the remainder of the county – and that was that they could not pay them. They were receiving from 9 to 10 per cent more than 1914, but were paying out in wages and otherwise 90 or 100 per cent. more. Speaking on the beet production she referred to what was saved in subsidies last year owing to a falling off in the acreage sown, and asked shouldn’t the Government give that £400,000 to the farmers? She asked them to look at what was given to the Roscrea Meat Factory, and said even compensation was paid when it was closed. But the farmers who were not able to grow beet last year got no compensation.

She concluded by saying that Mr. P. J. Molloy, who was present, would be glad to give them any further information they may require regarding the forming of branches in the different parishes. (Loud and prolonged applause).