Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1953 Arklow, By-election Meeting

Source: Wicklow People, 16.05.1953

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett said in contesting this bye-election, she was not attached to any Party or candidate, but was going forward as an independent. There had been a lot of talk about the farmers being responsible for raising the price of butter, but the farmers were not responsible for it. Arklow was in a very lucky position as regards employment with their industries in the town, but in other quarters of the county there was great unemployment. They had professional politicians coming to them, not by the half dozen, but by the dozen, and they would try to persuade the people that black was white, and white was no colour at all. They all knew taxation was more than they could bear. She suggested they reduce the salary of the President, and also reduce every one of the Minister’s salaries, and let them show good example. The farmers were told to produce more food and to export more goods. They saw in the paper every day where every Party wants to start repatriation, which was a very good idea, but as regards reducing taxation they were now faced with the repayment of the American loans. That was all very well while it was going on, but they only started to repay the interest this year, and in 1955 would start repaying the principal as well as the interest, so they were going to get it paying taxation. They saw thousands of people leaving this grand country to work elsewhere. If they had a suitable financial policy of their own in this country using the credit of the nation for the benefit of the nation, they could have the food subsidies restored without a burden of taxation, and they could give more employment. She had studied for many years the problem of rural Ireland, and knew it from the hard facts. In 1942 when the farmers were on a deputation they were told if they mentioned the idea of a reform of their present financial position it could not be done. When she started out on this election campaign, she was told if she mentioned this, that people would think she was mad. She made special appeal to the women to support her in this election, because they were the people who had to make the homes of Ireland, and if they were not going to break the country, they must have a more economic ideal. Many of them are sending their daughters to colleges: there was a motion before the Dail for equal pay for work by women and men. The women in the Dail voted against it. She appealed very specially to the women to give her No. 1 vote, and she guaranteed, if she was successful, she would be loyal to them in anything they asked her to support (applause).