Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett
1939 County Limerick, Farmers’ Meetings
Source: Limerick Leader, 09.09.1939
Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, spoke at three centres in County Limerick on Sunday last to large and enthusiastic audiences. Miss Bobbett first addressed a meeting in Glenroe, Mr. P. Condon presiding. Afterwards she went to Ballylanders, where a large crowd awaited her. Mr. Michael McGrath, Chairman, introducing Miss Bobbett, said no words of his could express the great pride and honour he felt at standing on that platform with such a noble figure as Miss Bobbett.
Miss Bobbett, having detailed the history of the Farmers’ Federation, said it was strictly non-political and its ranks were open to all farmers and farm-labourers. They had found that politicians were always trying to divide the farmers, trying to play the small farmer against the big farmer, and the labourer against the farmers, and always promising the farmers the sun, moon and stars in order to get votes. Another suggestion was that they organise vocationally, but that was not going to get them anywhere. The Minister could play off one section against another, as he did when the grain-growers wanted an increase. He said it couldn’t be done, as it would ruin the poultry keepers.
They demanded, in the first place, adequate compensation for economic war losses, at least £1 per £1 Poor Law valuation, with a minimum of £25. Deputy Erskine Childers had stated that Mr. Eamon de Valera had saved 88 million pounds in the agreement with England. That money belongs to the farmers of Ireland, and they were determined to get it. The farmers during the Economic War, on the export trade alone, lost £117,000,000, as well as a very considerable amount on the home trade. Why should not the tillers of the soil be compensated as well as the Roscrea and Waterford meat factories and the transport services? When the Government interfered with the bus owners they gave them big compensation, but when they interfered with the farmers livelihood there was not a word about compensation, but further taxation was piled on.
Owing to the high tariffs on goods in general the value of the stock sold in the British market is further lessened, and for every £100 worth sold they really got only £67, with the 33 1/3 per cent tariffs on articles they bought, so that the farmers were carrying the whole load of the Irish industries on their backs.
It was estimated that it was something like £29,000,000 annually the Irish industries were getting out of the land of Ireland in that way. The organisation also demanded a wage subsidy of 10/- a week for farm workers, a moratorium on land annuities and full de-rating. When rates were first charged on land they were based on the income of the farmers, and in those days they were only imposed for Poor Law purposes. Rates at present bear no relation to the farmers income. A Minister of the Dail living in a house, say of £30 valuation, with a big income, only paid according to that valuation. The whole thing was unjust and intolerable and rates must be abolished. They were told that the abolition of these unjust rates would increase the price of tea and sugar, but they were not told when the Ministers raised their own salaries that tea and sugar would have to go up, or when they voted £600,000 for tourism.
In Northern Ireland, she continued, the farmers get a subsidy of 5/- per cwt. on every fat beast they sell, and 31/6 on every acre of corn. If the Northern farmers wanted to make improvements on their holdings they got a grant of £80 on every £100 expended, and if the farmer could not find the remaining £20 he was given a loan on easy terms. It was only by agricultural exports they could make any money and unless they were encouraged there was going to be a big drop in tillage and employment. If the farmers went out of production bankruptcy would result.
The ultimate aim of the Federation was to form a Council of Agriculture that would advise and consult the Minister for Agriculture. It was only men elected by the members of the Federation who could form such a Council.
Miss Bobbett stated that the National Executive of the IFF had asked Cardinal Joseph MacRory and the heads of the various Churches represented in their membership to receive a deputation from the Federation to place the position of the farmers before them and to seek their counsel and support. With regard to the flight from the land, it is only those who do not know what farm life is, and what it was, who think that parish halls, and concerts and pictures could solve the problem. How was it that they could be the happiest and most envied people in the country 40 to 50 years ago? Because their economic position was sound. They could pay their way, educate their children and give them time to learn many accomplishments.
A vote of thanks to Miss Bobbett having been passed, the proceedings terminated. In the evening Miss Bobbett addressed another large meeting in Kilbehenny and on Monday, 4th September, she addressed a meeting in Clarina.