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

1939 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Sunday Independent, 23.07.1939

What the Farmers Need

Now that our politicians have gone on holidays, perhaps the Sunday Independent would allow me to give my impressions as to the causes for the “Flight from the Land,” and the only remedy. For some time past there have been various articles published from distinguished pens on the subject of rural Ireland. The latest scheme proposed by Mr. J. J. Holloway suggests “working exhibits of Irish manufactured goods in country towns would help to spread the light of what Ireland has accomplished industrially, and stimulate young people in taking an interest in matters economic.”

The mighty plough

I do not claim by any means to wield a distinguished pen. I am a farmer and believe the plough is mightier than the pen. Holding the position of General Secretary to the Irish Farmers’ Federation brings me in touch with farmers in all counties, and knowing the conditions under which they live, on reading such suggestions as that outlined by Mr. Holloway, or An Taoiseach’s idea that cheap wireless sets would solve the problem, I wonder can it be possible that these gentlemen are so completely out of touch with realities, and if this is the case the only thing to open their eyes is for them to visit the counties with members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation to show them round and let them get first-hand information from the farmers themselves.

With regard to stimulating people in rural Ireland in taking an interest in matters economic, the Irish Farmers’ Federation has been a good school for this. The whole cause of the “Flight from the Land” is the uneconomic state of agriculture. In a few words I give you the remedy – restore fixity of tenure to the farmers: give them security in their homes, compensate them for the extraordinary losses they sustained during the economic war, and reduce taxation on them.

No money to buy

If the industrialists’ business men, professionals and others have any sincerity for the well being of the country, let them now bear their share for the economic war, which they were not asked to bear up to now, and so restore the agricultural community to a prosperous position. What use or enjoyment can the holding of an exhibition in a country town provide for the farmers and rural workers when they have not the money to buy the products? If they had the money they could go at any time to the towns or cities and purchase there.

We realise that agriculture has been and is being sacrificed to subsidise Irish industries to the overwhelming extent of over £20’000’000. Unless the farmer gets justice he will be forced to cease buying Irish manufactured goods.

Security

Wireless in the home has its advantages, but I think the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, for it would tend to spread discontent with our lot. Again, when so much money is being voted for the revival of ancient customs and language, the wireless is drawing people in the opposite direction.

We cannot live on sentiment, as our politicians would like us to believe. It is very easy for them to talk when they have increased their own salaries, secured themselves with pensions, and don’t even pay income tax. It sounds well to say we must keep Irish dancing and culture alive, but let our politicians realise that the people of rural Ireland are more concerned with trying to keep the family alive. Leave us security in our homes, and we can find our own amusements.