Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1945 Dublin, Technical Students’ Literary and Debating Society

Source: Standard, 30.11.1945

A suggestion that the necessary legislation be enacted to enable the Government to issue credits for public works of an urgent nature, interest free, and that all local bank loans be converted into non-interest bearing debts, was made by Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, speaking to a paper “The Flight From the Land,” read by Mr. Seamus Scully, auditor, at the inaugural meeting of the Technical Institute Students Literary and Debating Society recently.

Referring to the plans for rural electrification, drainage, housing, etc., Miss Bobbett said that under our present financial system the necessary funds for such prospects would have to be financed, either by increased taxation or by borrowing. Either of these ways would only mean further taxation on the farmers and money taken out of production, while we needed many millions put into agricultural production. Putting forward the proposal mentioned above, Miss Bobbett said that the banks could be paid half of one per cent to cover their services.

“Financial reform was treated as a hush-hush matter and the more highly educated the person was, the more afraid they seemed to be to study the question.” The flight from the land could be traced to economic causes and with a national financial system could be put right.