Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1945 Clash, Annual Convention of the Irish Farmers’ Federation

Source: Wicklow People, 03.03.1945

In presenting her annual report, Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary, said 1944 was not lacking in success for the good work of all members during the past year. “I feel that the Irish Farmers’ Federation has much to be proud of, having steered the farmers through a most difficult time during the past few years, I believe the Federation will ultimately gain its objectives, which are to unite the farmers on all matters dealing with agriculture and to improve the conditions of the agricultural industry in general. We have had many attempts made to drag the Federation into politics, but thanks to our staunch members we have kept away from politics and leave that to the farmers’ own judgment. Our duty is agriculture first and all the time.

Our annual Convention was held in March last year. We called two very special meetings of sheep owners in Laragh, one in May and another in July, in order to protest against the Clean Wool Order and the Wool Prices Orders and subsequently we had deputations from the National Executive of the IFF (on which our Wicklow members were represented) to the Irish Wool Federation, to the Minister for Agriculture and later in November we were called to a conference in the Department of Supplies to discuss the workings of the Wool Prices Order and prices for the 1945 clip. Our members put up a very good case for an increased price owing to their increased costs of production. That an increased price was not granted we regret very much as the whole future of the sheep and wool industry depends on the wool prices, and here is where the mountain farmers play the vital part, as they are the chief sheep breeders in the country. We are quite confident that only for the publicity which we gave the matter of sheep and wool industry last summer, that the prices would have been reduced this year, as we know how the manufacturers were trying hard to be allowed to import wool from Australia and South America. Mr. Patrick Cogan also gave us great help by having the matter raised in the Dail. We succeeded in having part of the Clean Wool Order postponed last year which was a very great benefit to our mountain farmers. We stressed the point to the Minister for Agriculture that any further reduction in the price of wool would drive many farmers out of sheep breeding, and in view of the reductions in the price of store ewes, wihers and lambs last autumn, immediate action was necessary to save the industry which was most important as a means of maintaining the fertility of the soil. In the interests of our sheep and wool industry I would here like to remind our members that they must be very attentive in the care of their wool and at shearing time, as though the fixed prices are maximum prices unless they have first grade wool they won’t get top price.

We also brought up the matter of the very poor price fixed for oats last harvest and stressed on the Minister that we consider that when the Government compelled the farmers to till the land the Government should buy the oats and compensate the farmers for their losses.

At our County Executive meeting held in Rathdrum in October, we protested against the motion passed by the County Council to make separate charges a county-at-large charge and later sent a deputation to the County Council on the matter. While the new procedure will mean slight reductions in Tinahely and Shillelagh and Carnew about 3½d to 4d it will mean a big reduction to Greystones and Delgany of about 10d, these districts being known as ‘built up areas’ and the only places which can gain future advantages. At the same time it puts an additional burden of 3d to 3½d increase on the rest of the County which is mostly the mountain areas. It seems like fate, that each year some big attraction is sprung on the country to distract farmers from the most necessary work of all viz., organisation of their own industry, as May, 1944, saw another general election which always disorganises everything. We were glad that in Wicklow the Farmers’ candidate was returned at the head of the poll.

While few branches kept up their monthly meetings, it would be almost impossible to do so under the pressing strain of the tillage campaign, our membership is very satisfactory. The attendance of our representatives at the National Executive meetings has been fairly good. I regret to note that some of our old members have been careless in sending in their annual subscriptions in time, but am happy to say we continue to enrol new members every year. I think an effort should be made in each district to form Young Farmers’ Clubs so as to get the young people more interested in the necessity for organisation and get them to think for themselves, and not to get into the groove of saying, ‘Oh, so-and-so will attend the meeting; he will tell us what took place.’ The young people should be able to shoulder some of the responsibilities and they have much to learn by attending such meetings. I think our members should also take an active part in the formation of Parish Councils. If the findings of the Report of the Commission on Vocational Organisation come into force, which many of us hope it will, it is most necessary that we farmers keep up organisation and take our place on those councils to guide the farming policy. We still have many farmers being pressed by the Land Commission for arrears of annuities, but I have been able to get several extensions of time for our members. During the year I also got some cases settled with banks, so you see though we are not holding meetings as often, the good work goes on.”

Concluding the report with an appeal for intensive organisation, she advised members to leave politics behind when they come to a meeting of the Federation.