Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.2. Correspondence, Letters to the authorities
1947 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Taoiseach, 28.11.1947
Source: National Archives of Ireland (NAI), TAOIS/97/1/1031
A Dhuine Uasail. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Four Courts Hotel Dublin on 26th November 1947 I was directed to send a copy of the statement issued and Resolutions passed, to the Government and to each of the political parties.
I therefore enclose a copy a hope that you will favourably consider the requests contained therein. Mise le meas mor, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.
Annexe to the letter: The Irish Farmers’ Federation Statement issued from the Meeting Held in Four Courts Hotel Dublin on 26th November 1947. John Rooney presided and the following statement was issued: The Trade Agreement with Britain, we welcome the small increase in price for beef given by Britain it is a benefit to the lower grade beef and it is long overdue, but we consider the new Agreement is a poor Agreement as it is only for a short term, and compares very badly with the agreements made with the British and Northern Ireland farmers. We regret it is only in keeping with the way our farmers have been treated during the war and since. Production from the land in Britain and Northern Ireland has increased steadily during those years both in grain livestock and eggs, while our production of grain milk butter bacon and eggs has declined, which is real proof of the failure of our economic policy of low agricultural prices for those products.
We request that licenses be granted again to the Dutch, Belgian and other foreign buyers of our livestock.
We are still waiting for the publication of the Department of Agriculture Production Costings Figures, surely those figures are available why not in fairness to the farmers publish them.
The following resolutions were passed unanimously.
International Monetary Fund: We view with alarm the statements made by Ministers “that if dollars for the purchase of necessary equipment cannot be made available from current dollar earnings then we are prepared to consider resort to the International Monetary Fund or the International Bank”. We request the Government to give this matter a full debate in the Dail before committing our country to the International Monetary Fund or International Bank.
Christmas Gifts: We request the Government to allow us to send gifts of beef mutton or pork up to 9 lbs per parcel to our relatives and friends in Britain for Christmas. Seeing that hundreds of gifts are coming in to Eire free of licence from America and other countries, and that Eire has sent so much relief to other countries, at least our relatives and friends should not be denied this small amount. Signed Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Springfield Kilbride Wicklow.