Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.2. Correspondence, Letters to the authorities
1950 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Taoiseach, 22.02.1950
Source: National Archives of Ireland (NAI), TAOIS/97/1/1031
Dear Mr Costello. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in Ormond Hotel Dublin on 15th instant, the following resolution was passed unanimously and I was directed to send a copy to you and to other Ministers.
Holy Year: As the Holy Year is a time for Amnesty and forgiveness of debts, and our Government have already released over one hundred prisoners, we request that they grant a remission of part of the debts due on Board of Works charges and Land Commission charges where excessive interest rates have been collected, and that they grant a Moratorium for this year on Instalments due to the Agricultural Credit Corporation on long term loans. This moratorium would enable farmers to put the amount that would be payable, into the purchase of fertilisers or live stock, and so be in a better position to increase production, and to keep up payments in following years.
I give on a separate sheet an example of excessive interest rates and we make a special request that the Government would make a payment of restitution in this case.
I remain, yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.
Annexe to the above letter: Board of Work Loans. Loan borrowed in 1921. Amount of loan £490 at 7½ %. Repayable from 1922 to 1957 (35 years) in half-yearly instalments of £19 7s 7d
Payments were made to Board of Works for eight years amounting to £309 12s 0d. Payments ceased in 1931 owing to the financial difficulties of present occupier, (being left a widow with two small children.) For period from 1931 to 1950 total amount paid on 4th January 1950 was £905 10s 8d. Future payments would amount to £225, making a total repayment of £1,440 2s 8d.
The person affected by this loan is Mrs Elizabeth Kavanagh of Ballinameesda, Red Cross Wicklow; she is at present living with her sister at Kilballyowen House Ballinglen County Wicklow.