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

1954 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 02.01.1954

Correspondence. Taoiseach On Problem of Unemployment

Speaking in the Dail, on 18th December, on the problem of unemployment, An Taoiseach is reported as saying: “As head of the Government he would ask Deputies of all parties to help in the drive to increase the fertility of the land, and if it was found that lime and other fertilisers were necessary, to see how they could be provided. That was one of the fundamental ways in which the unemployment problem could be cured.”

To mention just two matters which are very important and have a very urgent effect on increasing the fertility of the land, I would appeal to the Taoiseach to have the Land Rehabilitation Scheme amended so that lime can be applied to the whole farm and the cost put on the annuity, leaving the farmer to put on the other manures each year, as far as his finances will allow him. Or, allow the farmer to get half his holding rehabilitated with lime and fertilisers.

Farmers find that to get the whole farm limed and manured is very costly and they hesitate to burden their land with such a high annuity charge, but let them get half of it done and they will reap the benefit and be in a position to attend to the rest in a few years, doing a little each year from their own resources without putting another burden on their annuity.

Another matter would be to permit the Seed Wheat Credit Scheme (which is due to come into operation through the millers in next February), to be extended to cover the purchase of fertilisers for the wheat crop.

These recommendations have been sent to the Minister for Agriculture long ago, but no action was taken.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, Wicklow.