Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.2.1. Published Texts, Articles in yearbooks and anthologies

1949 Elizabeth Bobbett: How and why the Irish Farmers’ Federation was Established

Source: Irish Farmers’ Federation, Irish Agriculture – The New Outlook, Yearbook 1949 p. 15-17

All farmers are aware of the Slump that came after the First World War.1 For a few years after the end of the war in 1918 farmers enjoyed very high prices and everyone seemed prosperous, but the slump came in 1927 to 1931 with continually falling prices for our agricultural produce.

Farmers then did not know the cause of that slump. Many of them have since studied economics and financial control and realise that it was caused by those who control the power to create or destroy money and thereby control the Nations.

While this depression spread over Britain and Ireland, the British and North of Ireland farmers got some relief by de-rating of their agricultural land and buildings, but farmers in the 26 counties got no relief.

Following the Economic war when Britain placed tariffs on our cattle and agricultural produce, the plight of Irish farmers was very bad indeed, and in many counties they were beginning to form small Associations of farmers and voicing their grievances.

Some of us realised that if we were to achieve success and win relief for Irish Agriculture we must unite – as unity is strength. Therefore, having heard a very impressive speech from Mr. Ernest Browne, County Clare, at a meeting of the United Farmers’ Protection Association held in the Mansion House, Dublin, in 1933, I decided to do my part and get in touch with all the Farming Associations I could with the view of forming a non-political farmers’ organisation which would be representative of all Branches of farming.

On the invitation of County Wicklow Farmers the first Conference of Farmers was held in the Hotel St. George, Parnell Square, Dublin, on 24th September, 1936, fourteen Counties being represented. Further meetings were arranged to discuss constitution and rules which would best help to give us a sound organisation, as many as seventeen counties being present at our meetings.

Realising the urgent necessity for a Central Organisation that would unite all existing Farmers’ Associations with a view to closer co-operation between farmers for the benefit of the industry, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was established on 3rd March, 1937, and was registered as a Trade Union on 27th April, 1937. Being a registered trade union it is strictly non-political and non-sectarian. Membership is open to all farmers and farm labourers who accept its rules.

The reason we registered as a Trade Union was to ensure it would be non-political and to have the protection of the Trade Union Acts, under which we had the right to hold public meetings and express our grievance, a thing we found very necessary to do at the time, as owing to the censorship of the Press the true position of the Agricultural Industry was being withheld from the public, and we were the victims of grave injustices.

It will be understood that there are many different Farming Associations such as Grain Growers, Beet Growers, Milk Producers, Pig Producers, etc., but the great majority of farmers carry on mixed farming, a little of everything, and farmers had no central organisation, and we knew how one section of the farming industry could be played off against another section as long as the farmers were kept divided into sectional organisations.

Now, if agriculture is to prosper it must be treated as a whole and not divided into sections, therefore the Irish Farmers’ Federation acts like the hub of a wheel. It is the binding link not alone between the various Associations but between the various Counties.

The Main Objects of the Federation are:

To consolidate all other Farmers’ Associations. This Federation is to be a Council of Agriculture representing all branches of the Industry, to act in a consultative and advisory capacity to and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture.

To voice the considered opinions of the farmers and to forward their interests.

Fixity of Tenure.

Fair prices for farm produce based on cost of production.

Full de-rating of agricultural land and farm buildings.

Re-adjustment of Loan Credit Charges and better credit facilities for farmers.

Fair representation for farmers on all national legislative and administrative bodies, and the election by the organised farmers of the State of a majority of their members on all Boards dealing directly with agriculture.

Adequate compensation for Economic War losses.

Affiliation of County Associations

Each County Association pays a fixed sum to the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation and elect their own representative to the National Executive.

We found in organising the various Counties that they all liked to work under their own name such as Cavan Farmers’ Trade Union, Monaghan Farmers’ Federation, County Dublin Farmers’ Association, etc., while they affiliated with the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Then there were a few Counties which never affiliated, but kept in touch with the Federation and were willing to give their full co-operation if needed.

It was our rule to hold monthly meetings of the National Executive and after getting the considered opinions of the farmers from the various counties to send forward our recommendation to the Government and in particular to the Minister for Agriculture, on the successful carrying out of the agricultural policy.

Unfortunately the Minister did not act on our advice when offered.

Much has been spoken and written during the past few years on the subject of Irish Agriculture and our declining output by many city folk and others not connected with the land. One wonders how much of their concern is directed for the farmers’ benefit, or is it because that at last they realise that it is the farmer who keeps them all supplied with the necessaries of life and many luxuries which he himself cannot afford. For it must be remembered that it is from our agricultural exports that the money is provided to purchase our imports.

They fail to see that Irish farms have been mined rather than farmed during the past 25 years, hence the decline in output. They do not realise that they are living at a standard of living of the 20th century, while the financial system under which we are working is still of the 17th century, and while we have gained political freedom we cannot obtain economic freedom till we get financial freedom. Indeed until we get financial freedom our farmers will still be weighed down with a burden of National Debt to repay interest on National loans, Local loans and Marshall Aid.

If our Parliament would exercise their power to use the National Credit for the benefit of the Nation and issue their own money free of debt, the public would be relieved of this huge sum of annual taxation to pay Interest on National Loans, Local Loans, and, in the near future, on Marshall Aid Loan. The result would be a welcome drop in the high cost of living which concerns all.

1 - The same text was published in the Wicklow People, 31.12.1949.