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

1941 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Irish Farmers’ Paper, November 1941

Farmers’ Powerful Position

In your September issue you published the report of the Annual General Meeting of the Beet Growers’ Association, and at that meeting the following resolution was referred to their Council: Resolution proposed by Mr. F. Scully, Mallow, seconded by Cr. Desmond: “That the Association be asked to extend its activities so as to embrace all sections of agriculture and that the Council take suitable steps towards that end.” The resolution was supported by several members, and the Chairman, Mr. W. Mullins, Carlow, said that some six or seven years ago the Rules of the Beet Growers’ Association had been changed so as to endeavour to embrace all farmers.

Now, what are the difficulties facing such a body as the Beet Growers’ Association towards organising the farmers in general?

In writing this article, I wish to state that I am not trying to criticise the Beet Growers’ Association; but to point out the difficulties as I know them from my experience of endeavouring to unite the farmers of Eire for the past six years. While the Beet Growers’ Association is a very efficient organisation set up to deal with beet, it must be realised that beet growing only embraces a very small percentage of the farming community; therefore, farmers who are not beet growers are naturally debarred from membership of the Beet Growers’ Association.

Federation Formed

Six years ago, realising the necessity for a strong National Farmers’ Union to unite all existing farmers’ organisations, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was formed, one of the chief objects being “That the Federation would set up a Council of Agriculture representative of all branches of the Industry to act in a consultative and advisory capacity, maintaining direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture.”

As General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, I have written to every farming association in the country, and received very full co-operation from most, and we have branches of the Federation in eighteen counties. From the very commencement of our efforts we have been in communication with and cordially invited the members of the Beet Growers’ Association to co-operate in this movement, and pointed out to all associations that the Irish Farmers’ Federation did not want to interfere in the running or in the finances of any County Association or Organisation, but to be the means of uniting them all under a solid Federation, through which they would forward their demands to the Government.

I am sorry to say that the Beet Growers’ Association have been the only body that has not co-operated towards this movement. I cannot see what their attitude is, in standing aloof. When you consider how the Federation of Irish Manufacturers can unite, you should stop and think. Again, you do not see, for instance, the Drapers’ Association wanting to organise the Grocers or Hardware Merchants; yet all these different industries can unite under the title of Federation of Irish Manufacturers. It might be well to point out that, though the Farming Associations in Kerry, Cork and Roscommon, while not affiliated to the Irish Farmers’ Federation, are in close co-operation.

Did not attend

In January last a general conference of farmers was held in Dublin, to which the Beet Growers’ Association were invited but did not come, and from that conference the basis of a National Agricultural Council was formed. If the general body of Beet-growers are anxious for unity they should insist on their Association taking their place on the National Agricultural Council, and let us be united as farmers, and stand behind our demands put forward from our Council meetings.

With regard to the Rules of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, they are open for amendment at any time, and it is up to the farmers to come in and improve them; but, taken on the whole, I have never yet found anyone who could find fault with the rules as they stand.

The appointment of representatives on the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation is a matter in the hands of the County Associations, and organisations. Where counties are organised under the Irish Farmers’ Federation the branches elect their own officers, and their own representatives to the County Executives, so that the Organisation is fully democratic.

Never before in the history of Ireland was there such a crisis as confronts our nation for the next two years, and I believe it is only by the united actions of the farmers that this can be overcome by bringing their influence to bear on the Government to give the farmers a fair deal.