Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1939 Edgeworthstown, Farmers’ Meeting at Fair-Day

Source: Anglo-Celt, 26.08.1939

Miss Bobbett, who received a very enthusiastic greeting, said that farmers would secure their demands only by organisation. They did not want to put out the Government – let the Deputies keep their seats in the Dail, for the farmers did not want to go there. They preferred to stay at home minding their own business, and so would she, but someone must do the national work, and so there they were.

She said that a demand was being put before Dr. James Ryan, Minister for Agriculture, for immediate relief by compensation for the farmers in respect of their losses in the economic war. She compared the cost of living to-day with before 1914, and said no farmer or farm labourer received a proper living wage from the industry. At the Roscrea and Waterford factories, the lorry and bus owners and drivers were all compensated, as in the first case, the factories, they were not making a profit, and in the second instance when they were put off the roads; but the farmers were obliged to suffer every loss without compensation, and why? Because they were not organised, and were open to be kicked about and sat on.

Before the end of 1939, she said, the demand referred to would be carried because their Federation was a trade union, but it permitted its members to be at liberty to be in any political party they wished. The Federation was not political, and as a trade union carried out its work, and demanded that farm labourers should get a better wage from 27s, the Government to provide a subsidy of 10s a week towards wages to labourers. Rumours had been circulated that if de-rating went through it would increase the price of the loaf which, she said, was all baloney.