Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers
1962 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Irish Farmers’ Journal, 17.03.1962
Congress of Irish Farmers
Sir. Mr. Michael O. Fogarty, President of Macra na Feirme, speaking at a dinner in Limerick last week is quoted as saying that there should be a Congress of Irish Farmers’ Organisations. Such a Congress could speak to the Government with one voice on behalf of farmers and could help to produce a unified farming policy. He also said time, money, effort, and ability are wasted on duplicated consideration of Irish farmers’ needs.
This is a strange proposal coming from the President of Macra na Feirme, which body if you recall their past history is responsible for launching two farmers’ organisations in recent years.
Let me state that after Macra na Feirme was started about 1944 we in the Irish Farmers’ Federation which functioned from 1937 to 1955 invited the Executive members of Macra na Feirme to come to our Conferences to discuss farmers’ problems, but their reply was, "we cannot go to your meetings as Macra only deals with educational and social matters and not with economics."
At a later date Macra decided they must take part in economics and they founded the National Farmers’ Association. They also started for the younger people Macra na Tuaithe.
I understand it was the objective of NFA that the older members of Macra na Feirme would come along and support the ranks of NFA and take their share in running the association.
Surely with all their training in leadership and public speaking and education, it should be no trouble to them, rather should it be their desire.
To save overlapping I would suggest that Macra na Feirme and Macra na Tuaithe should amalgamate, with the younger members going to Macra na Tuaithe and the older members to NFA.
There is very little keeping the various farmers’ organisations from being strongly united, and I hope before 1962 is out we shall see all united under the NFA. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Former Secretary to Irish Farmers’ Federation, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.