Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1953 Ballyconnell, By-election Meeting

Source: Wicklow People, 09.05.1953

Miss Bobbett said it always gave her great pleasure to come down to the country people and especially to the mountain people. She was a farmer – a working farmer – and she knew what it was to try and live out of the land. She would not have the cheek to stand up in any farmers’ organisation and talk to farmers unless she knew what she was talking about. She was going forward as the selected representative of the farming community. She was a fighter and a hard worker. In this election, she would make a special appeal to the women, because they had no representation in Dail Eireann. There were women in both of the big political parties in the Dail, but when a matter of importance to housewives came up, those women voted with their party. The women Deputies had voted against equal pay for equal work for men and women. They were aware that it cost as much to educate a daughter as a son, and yet, when it came to a salary, a woman was offered a smaller salary than a man. By being an Independent, she (Miss Bobbett) would be free to vote as her conscience directed her. If a thing was good, she would vote for it; if not, she would vote against it, no matter what party was in power. If elected, she would try to work for a better spirit of unity and co-operation in Dail Eireann. The people of this country had got to look to the future, which did not appear very bright at present. There was a huge budget facing the country. The Opposition would tell the people that they would cut it down, but as a sensible, honest person, she did not see how it could be cut down without borrowing. They were only starting now to pay the interest on American loan, and in 1955 a start would be made on the repayment of the principal.

Regarding the flight from the land, they would agree that was due to economic conditions, and to the uncertainty of country people regarding the future. People in urban areas were always favoured by politicians, as there were more votes in the towns than in the country. She held that, with a proper national financial system, taxation could be reduced and full employment could be given, and markets could be provided for their produce, but at the present time, the country had no financial system of its own, and was governed by the English system. They were tied to the Bank of England. She had been present on deputations to various Ministers, and had heard Mr. John A. Costello say they had no means of raising money except through taxation or borrowing, and they could not borrow any more. She was also on a deputation to the late Cardinal Joseph MacRory. They head been told not to mention this matter of a national financial system to Cardinal McRory but when it was mentioned to him he was very nice and understanding, and said he could not understand why the Government had not taken control of the credit of the country long ago. If they wanted to do it, the Government could take control of the credit by introducing a short Act, Miss Bobbett said. America was willing to grant loans to this country, so why could not the Irish Government grant loans to farmers on the security of their land? If Irish farmers were given a decent price for their produce, there would be ample produce to export. New Zealand dairy farmers were paid 2s 11¼d a gallon for lowest grade milk, yet the New Zealand housewife had only to pay 1s 8d per lb for butter. She believed that until a better living was given to the people of rural Ireland, and until a remunerative market was assured for farm produce, there was no use asking for increased production. She was going forward to fight for an honest deal for everybody, and she did not care what government was in power. There was far too much State interference in this country. On county councils they had very little say in matters such as the making of appointments or the erection of a type of rural cottage which workers could have at a decent rent. In all such matters, the councils were dictated to from above. Another matter affecting the small farmers was the distribution of lime. People could not get their supply of lime in time, and had to wait six or seven months for it. During the term of office of the previous Government, they had invited Mr. James Dillon down to Rathdrum one time when they could not sell their oats. He would not come then, but later he came to the County Committee of Agriculture and called the Wicklow farmers beggermen. Some time ago, under the present Government, when farmers peacefully picketed in Dublin, they were put in jail, so they had no love for either of the parties. It was necessary to have more Independents in Dail Eireann – people who had no bitterness against any party. She hoped the people of Wicklow would set a head-line by election the first lady Independent Deputy to the Dail.