Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.3.1. Miscellaneous publications, Texts stopped by the censor

1939 Elizabeth Bobbett: Official statement by the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Stopped by censor at the request of the Minister of Agriculture, 25.11.1939

Source: National Archives of Ireland (NAI), D/Jus, Farmers Strike November 1939

Irish Farmers’ Federation: Official Statement

Having read in the Press report Dr. James Ryan’s statement to the effect that he was unaware what the Irish Farmers’ Federation were on strike for, I consider it my duty to put the following points before the public, as it is erroneous on the part of the Minister for Agriculture to state that he does not know the demands of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. On 5th July 1939 when five points were put before him as being of vital and urgent necessity to the farming interests, Dr. Ryan refused to consider any one of the five points, they were as follows: 1) £1 per £ of our PLV as partial compensation for our Economic War losses. 2) A Wage Subsidy of 10s 0d per week for each worker, whether member of the family or not, 5s 0d to be given to the worker and 5s 0d retained by the farmer. 3) Complete de-rating. 4) Abation of Annuities. 5) Security of Tenure.

When the European Crises began on the 6th September we sought an interview immediately with Dr. Ryan and offered him our full co-operation in increasing the nations food supply, if he would co-operate with us, and at that interview Dr. Ryan promised the Irish Farmers’ Federation adequate representation on any board set up. We farmers resent any persons fixing prices or anything about the sale of our produce without consulting us the producers. At that interview which was very short we asked Dr. Ryan to receive us at a very early date, to discuss the position fully. We were received on 14th September by Mr. Eamon de Valera in the absence of Dr. Ryan and we told Mr. de Valera that in order to be put in a position to produce food, we must have immediate reliefs. We asked for a moratorium on arrears of rates and annuities, and complete de-rating and the withdrawal of the Flying Squad and money to enable us to produce. Mr. de Valera was also asked not to make any agreement regarding agriculture without consulting the farmers. He said (in effect) that the Government had no money to give these demands of the farmers, and that if he were to impose taxes to meet our demands that the farmers who are the biggest tax payers would be paying it themselves. He referred to other Trade Unions going on strike to have their grievances remedied, and that the farmers could not go on strike. We have been driven to take this measure of strike as a protest in order to bring our demands before the public. The three demands we asked for immediately do not entail any extra expense on the General Public they are: The Demands are Security of Tenure, De-rating of agricultural land and buildings and a Moratorium on all arrears of Rates and Land Annuities. Everyone should be aware that the farmers are the wealth producers of the nation and it is our interest to increase production, but production must be made profitable. We are the only Registered Trade Union ever subject to a complete Black Out by the Censor, which fact is very much resented throughout the country. In order to remove all doubt we now wish to repeat that the complete withholding of all Agricultural Produce must continue until such time as the Government grant our just demands.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.