Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.2. Correspondence, Letters to the authorities

1952 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Taoiseach, 15.01.1952

Source: National Archives of Ireland (NAI), TAOIS/97/1/1031

A Duine Uasail. In the interests of increasing food production I wish to bring to your notice the following serious matter and to ask you to put a stop to this harassing of the farmers. I can assure you we farmers are only too anxious to increase production, and in the National interest we look to you to give us every chance to do so. The matter is as follows: James Sweeney, The Hollow, Ballinglen, County Wicklow paid his first moiety Rates on 27th September 1951, in November he was sent a six days notice for the second moiety, he always pays his rates before the end of March, and considered this demand unnecessary, he has now been sent a Civil Bill for the second moiety rates amounting to £40 12s 2d plus £2 2s 0d costs. He has six young children. James Murphy, Tomcoyle, Ballinglen, County Wicklow, has been sent a Civil Bill for £7 12s 2d with £1 12s 0d Costs. These farmers live in a district of very poor land and they are facing a big outlay on fertilisers and seeds to carry out their tillage, and at least they should be given till the usual time end of March to pay these rates.

I ask you to put yourself for a moment in their position, not knowing when their few cattle or their horse will be seized for these rates, and in that position would you be able to put your heart fully into your work of increasing production. I appeal to you to make an announcement that will assure the farmers some security and encouragement.

I am told there are many other farmers in the County who are being pressed in this matter. It seems to be the greed of the Rate Collectors to grab all the extra bonuses they can on their collections. Not very Christian like.

Assuring you we do not want in any way to embarrass the Government by publishing these facts, and that you have our fullest co-operation in trying to increase food production.

Is mise le mor-meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary for Wicklow and General Secretary

About the digital edition

This volume of Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s writings and speeches is divided into four parts. The first section comprises 321 texts written by her. The second part contains 150 speeches and statements by Bobbett, most of which were published in newspapers. Part 3 contains 727 texts written about Bobbett by contemporaries of her or addressed to her. Finally, Part 4 is a collection of 50 source texts that are important for understanding Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s activism. Parts 3 and 4 will be made available online in March 2027.

Suggested citation

Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Taoiseach, 15.01.1952, in: Peter Moser (ed.), In her own Words. The Writings of Elizabeth F. Bobbett (1898-1971). Farmer, Feminist and Public Figure, Bern, 2026, https://www.histoirerurale.ch/editions/pages/bobbett/1952-01-15-180.html, consulted on .

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