Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.4.2. Oral statements, Interview in: Model Farmer and Stockbreeder

1944 Elizabeth Bobbett: Interview in the Model Farmer and Stock-Breeder, October 1944

Six Farming Experts on the ESB Scheme

In accordance with our policy of throwing open our columns to all shades of farming opinion, we present in this issue very varying views on the rural electrification scheme. It is a scheme designed to extend over ten years, one for which legalisation will be introduced in the near future, and it is scarcely too much to give it a few moments thought. The views of five farmers are given on these pages. The views of the sixth may be given here. Mr. David Yule, when approached, said he had been trying to get electricity for four years, and had forwarded our request to the proper authorities in the hope they would provide him with an answer!

In succeeding issues, the views of other prominent agriculturists, including Mr. Patrick Belton, will be presented without favour. The views of influential men who are also practical agriculturists may be expected to have a good effect when the Government face the big problem of arranging the details.

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett: “Good in principle, but…“

1) Do you consider the scheme as good in principle?

Yes, it’s greatest benefit will be felt in the farmer’s household; it will lighten the domestic work.

2) Will it help the country in returning to the world market with greater force and efficiency?

Definitely not, under the present financial system of the country, because the money must either be raised by taxation or by borrowing, in which case it is borrowed at high interest, and as the farming community produce most of the wealth of the country they will have to bear at least 75 per cent of the cost of the scheme. No matter whether it is raised by direct or indirect taxation the farmer bears the heaviest part of it, therefore every payment towards this huge sum of £17 million is so much money taken out of production of agricultural produce. After what we farmers have suffered during the past 12 years we need many millions put into production of agriculture.

3) Do you consider certain additional arrangements are needed, such as special terms to enable the small farmer to obtain the necessary equipment?

Yes. As the greatest number of farms are under 100 acres, the most of these will need new out-offices suitable for the erection of electric motor and other machinery, also dairy. It is not much use being able to get the current installed if you have not the money to buy the other requirements, and put up suitable out-offices. Certainly the light for house and out-offices would be a boon; but the statement that the ESB pays on the average £45 per family while the family pay only £10 on average will not go down with the farmer who gives it sound thought. As I said before, the farmer pays through taxation, the greater part of this £17 million, which, if borrowed at interest, will amount to a colossal sum.

Elizabeth Bobbett: Replenish the soil

I have an oil engine which gives great satisfaction, and I would be slow to change to electricity, chiefly for financial reasons. My first thought is to build up the fertility of the soil, which has suffered greatly during the past five years. I hold that neither electricity nor mechanisation will build up the fertility of the soil – only livestock can do that.

Meet our commentators: Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, described by many as “Ireland’s No. 1 Land Girl,” farms 200 acres at Springfield, Kilbride, near the lovely Wicklow coast. She goes in for mixed farming: tillage and mostly young store cattle, sheep, pigs. Her great efforts in organising the farmers are well-known, and in this very difficult sphere she has achieved a great measure of success.