Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers

1953 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 15.08.1953

Correspondence. Farmers’ Increased Rates

As I am inundated with inquiries as to the Farmers’ position regarding the huge increases in rates due to the proposals of the Government to reduce the Agricultural Grant for the year 1953/54, and the subsequent rumours in the daily papers and whispers from the politicians that the proposal had been dropped. I would be very grateful if you would kindly publish this letter.

The proposal to reduce the Agricultural Grant while increasing the allowance for employment would mean a reduction in the County Wicklow rates of £14,897 odd for the year 1953/54 and this amount would be collected off the farmers. The matter was brought up at the County Council meeting in June when we were told that a circular had been received from the Department of Local Government stating that the Demand Notes were to be made out according to the new scheme, even though the Bill had not come before the Dail so was not yet Law.

The Bill will not come before the Dail till end of October or November. Meantime the Demand Notes have been issued and the County Council has no alternative but to collect the rate as per the Demand Note.

It has been rumoured that the Bill may be amended from its present form so that the total amount of Agricultural Grant may not be reduced but as to how it will be allocated we do not know. I know that Deputy Patrick Cogan has a motion down for the Dail “That there be no reduction in the Agricultural Grant,” and according to the leading article in “Evening Herald” of 8th July, 1953, it is stated that Deputy Patrick D. Lehane said he would vote against the new Rates Plan. If the Bill is defeated, which I sincerely hope it will, and farmers have been overcharged in their demands for rates, they can rest assured that they will be refunded the overcharge at first opportunity.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, MCC, Springfield, Kilbride.

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 Wicklow People, 15.08.1953, 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/1953-08-15-192.html, consulted on .

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