Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett
1939 Rathdrum, Meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation
Source: Wicklow People, 09.12.1939
Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett read the correspondence dealing with the calling off of the strike, including the letter sent to the Press for publication on Monday by Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, president of the Federation. “The Irish Press” report had stated on Friday that a deputation had sought an interview from the Federation after the milk producers’ meeting with the Minister and they were told it would be granted provided they called off the strike as the milk producers had done. That statement was absolutely wrong and incorrect. In his statement to the Press, Mr. O’Kennedy said that the agreement was reached before the milk producers abandoned the strike, and abandonment of the strike was a condition of the agreement. They did not seek an interview, but they were invited by Mr. Patrick Belton, TD, to attend a conference already arranged by him with the Minister at Leinster House, and when they went there they were informed that the Minister would not receive them, as the matter of the farmers’ strike had been taken out of his hands by the Government. At An Taoiseach’s Department this fact was corroborated. They had, said Miss Bobbett, made no contact with the Minister and Mr. Belton had acted as an intermediary on his own initiative. As the proposed arrangement was satisfactory and they did not wish to inflict terrible hardships on their own people or the consumers, they agreed to the proposals. When the deputation went over the Minister would not receive them. They also had the statement from Mr. George Mullen, the livestock exporter, and on this matter they had issued a joint statement for publication. They stated that acting on these representations they had, in the best interests of the farmers and of the country, decided to call off the strike.
Miss Bobbett dealt with the state of organisation throughout the counties, and gave special praise to the work done in and by the County Wicklow Association. The creameries had not sent in their milk to Dublin voluntarily as stated by Dr. James Ryan, who had commandeered the supplies, but when they found they were doing the black-leg the creameries were most indignant. She mentioned the ones which had withdrawn the supplies in spite of the Minister’s threats against them. It was unfair for Dr. Ryan to say that he did not know what the Federation wanted. On 5th July, on 6th September when war broke out on the Continent, and on the 14th September to Mr. de Valera himself they had gone on deputations and laid before the Ministers their grievances and suggestions. Although they had called off the strike and were willing to negotiate, they were ready to take action at any time they were called upon (applause).