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

1939 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Kerryman, 28.10.1939

Agricultural Consultative Council

A special meeting of Farmers’ Organisations was held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin, under the auspices of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, President of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, presided, and speaking to the Consultative Council he said we had been trying for a long time to get recognition for the Federation, and we had also been demanding to know who were the Government’s advisors who had foisted the present agricultural policy on us.

Mr Con Ryan, Cappamore, said that the Federated Creameries’ Union, which represented over forty creameries in Munster, had been refused representation, and they were the people who milked the cows and were most entitled to represent the Dairying Industry and not the IAOS. He was told to say that the Federated Creameries were wholeheartedly behind the Irish Farmers’ Federation, and he was told to ask the support of the Irish Farmers’ Federation in demanding representation for the Federated Creameries. He hoped the IFF would send forward then representatives.

Mr. John Moriarty, Kerry Farmers’ Association agreed that it would be desirable to have two representatives, even though we all agreed it was totally inadequate representation. It was the general opinion of the meeting that the IAOS and the County Committees of Agriculture did not represent the farmers.

The following resolution was proposed by Mr. John Moriarty (Kerry), and seconded by Mr. W. Catey (Carlow). That having regard to the fact that major points of policy such as Compulsory tillage have been settled before the proposed Consultative Council has been called together, that the representation offered to practical farmers is inadequate and that the functions of the Council are not clearly defined, we accept under protest the representation offered to the Irish Farmers’ Federation, and accordingly name Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, Punchestown House, Naas, and Mr. John Murphy, Red Cow Dundalk, as representatives of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Another resolution, proposed by Mr. Cornelius F. McLoughlin (Dublin), and seconded by Mr. W. Norris (Waterford) “So that the Consultative Council may be more representative of the producing interests, we demand that representation on it be accorded to the Irish Federated Creameries, The Kerry Farmers’ Association, The Cork Farmers’ Association, Clann na Talmhan, and the Irish Pig Producers Association.” was passed unanimously.

Those present included: Messrs. John Murphy, Edmond Murphy, John F. Conaty, Con C. Ryan, Richard Hipwell, William E. Clune, Edward Dunne, J.J. McCarthy, James King, John Comerford, P. McGorisk, W. Norris, John Rooney, R. McDonald, T. Ignatius Arthurs, Stephen Rynne and the Secretary, Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett.