Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1953 Barndarrig, By-election Meeting

Source: Wicklow People, 16.05.1953

Miss Bobbett said the agricultural community was the most important section but they were controlled by a City outlook. They were constantly being told that they must get more up-to-date methods in farming and become more efficient, but after 30 years of party political Government could they say that Government had been efficient. Year after year National Debt was increasing and the population was leaving the land. She believed the political party outlook was a hinderance to the economic progress of the country. There was too much bitterness between these parties, at least they acted that way in the Dail, not pulling together in the interests of the country. It was also getting to be almost a “closed shop” in parliamentary representation. This was not democracy. She had no allegiance to any political party vote. They as a rural community were not concerned with the cost of living. Some of them may not be ratepayers but they were all taxpayers. The high rates were also a matter which raised their cost of living. The shopkeeper or professional man can to a certain extent pass on the burden of rates to the consumer, the organised worker could get an increase in wages, but when the farmers organised to get an increase in the price of their milk to enable them to meet their higher costs, they were arrested and put in jail. It was nearly 20 years since she had first attended a Farmers’ Meeting in Wicklow town at which Mr. Thomas O’Donnell was chairman. He was afterwards made a Judge. At that meeting she had first learnt of the necessity for Financial Freedom and that Ireland had not got control of her own financial system. She had given much study to the problem since then and had been instructed on it by people of the highest authority. She knew she was right in pressing this claim for the necessary reforms in our present financial system so that the credit of the nation could be used for the benefit of the nation and means provided to give full employment to develop the country.

Speaking on the cause of the flight from the country to the cities and towns she said it was only to be expected as the country people were no fools. The dice was loaded against the country people. A former Minister for Finance under Mr. Eamon de Valera’s government had some years ago boasted in the Dail that “they had now moved the balance in favour of the towns, by 30 per cent”. Those who lived in the city could buy flour 4d a stone cheaper than in the country. In an urban district they got higher wages and higher benefits and cheap fuel, etc. Last year’s budget was very harsh and they had expected to get some relief this year, but instead of relief they were being saddled with the huge sum of £36 millions to be borrowed, which would be another big millstone round the necks of their rising generation. The first item in her policy was “to work for greater economy and efficiency in the spending of public money by Government and Local Authorities and thereby reduce the cost of living and taxation.” That such economy can be effected has been shown by the Minister for Finance in his budget statement when he admits that he can now save about £3½ millions, under that head. Another point was to try and curb the interference by State Officials in the lives of the people and give more powers to County Councillors in the management of county affairs.

Outlining the different matters which come under the Health Bill, she said that the County Manager would be the person who would direct people to whatever hospital he liked and tell what specialist they were to have. The Health Bill did not give free medical treatment for all ills. It only covered hospital treatment and specialists fees and only if one went into the public ward otherwise one had to pay for his own treatment. It was too much interference in the lives of the people.

Speaking on matters which affected the workers on the County Council, she said the reason why she had voted against the increase in wages for road workers was because she realised that it would mean throwing many workers out of employment for many months. For instance in 1952 they had voted 11d in the £ extra for county roads, but later an increase in wages took place which used up about £8,000 of that £11,000, thereby putting men out of employment for months, and leaving their roads neglected. She said that if they placed their confidence in her and elected her she would work for unity amongst all sections for the betterment of the nation. It was a great honour to have been asked to carry such an important responsibility, but they knew her ability for hard work and it rested with them if they wanted her to get elected.