Turnips for Sale, large and sound, 10s per drill; also White Victory Seed Oats, excellent quality (imported last year), 22s 6d per barrel, cleaned. Apply Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

The Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

A Chara. At a Meeting of the United Farmers' Protection Association, held at Barndarrig, on the 22nd instant, a Resolution was passed that this Branch request the County Council to favourably consider to accept payment of local Rates during the Economic War by instalments. Many farmers stated they were unable to pay a penny rates owing to the economic depression, others stated that although they had stock to sell they failed to get buyers. As for grain, the sale price is still unsettled. From every point of view the acceptance of rates by instalments is advisable. Mise, le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary, Barndarrig Branch.

A Chara. On behalf of the members of the United Farmers Protection Association Barndarrig Branch I write to ask you can you give us any information as to where we can get Seed Wheat on credit. I wrote you on the Subject on 17th ultimo and received an acknowledgement of my letter from your Secretary.

It is getting late now for sowing winter wheat in this district unless we can get the seed within the next week. One of our members told me on Monday night that he was ready to sow six acres of wheat but had not the money to buy the seed and as I stated before, none of the seed merchants in Wicklow are taking up the scheme. Another member is ready to sow two acres. I also wish to state that only one merchant in Wicklow, The Wicklow Corn Company, have taken on the Oats Scheme, and of course any oats under 40 lbs per bushel they are offering a very bad price for.

In the lighter land round here the oats does not fill as well as on better land and the usual run of oats is 36 lbs to 38 lbs per bushel. Another merchant in Wicklow who is not taking up the Oat Scheme will give 7s 0d per lbs for white oats but will only buy as a great complement from some customers although the same firm are charging 1s 3d per stone for inferior white oats in their shop.

I hope you will pardon me for taking up your time with my letter but these are facts which will help to show you what we farmers are up against and how utterly impossible it is for us to meet the heavy demands made now for rates and amenities and pay labour.

I assure you as far as I know there is no Anti-Rate campaign in this part of the County.

Perhaps the enclosed statement may help to show you how desperately hard hit the farmers are.

In Rathdrum fair yesterday a neighbour told me he had ten cattle over two years old, and he got one bid of £3 each for four out of the ten. Now I rear young cattle and for the past four years have always counted on selling my year and year and half old cattle to pay the largest portion of my Rates. Well up to even last March I could get £7 a head and 1931 and 1932 I got from £12 10s 0d to £9 each; to-day if I brought out what I have I would not get £3 each although they are just as good and it has cost as much to rear them.

Surely it is not the farmers’ fault that prices are so low. Our overhead charges would need to be reduced to one third in order to correspond with present prices. For instance my Rates are increased £21 this year making a total of £77 14s 3d, the half year being £38 17s 2d I had not the money to pay the first moiety in full so I sent the Collector two cheques, one in September for £8 17s 2d and one in October £10. He returned me the two cheques and said I would have to pay the full amount before 18th October. I had sold fat sheep at 14s 0d each in order to make up the £18 17s 2d and until I sell my oats I can not pay in full. I sent two fresh calved cows to Wicklow fair last week and never got a bid for them. I want four barrels of seed wheat immediately and as I can not get any in the wheat Scheme I shall have to pay cash down for it so the Rate Collector will have to wait a little longer.

Mise le meas, Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary.1

1 - Enclosed to the letter is an overview of the valuation of the Springfield farm and the rates for certain years between 1919 and 1933.

Seed Oats: White Superb, Department tested, 99 per cent germination; 99,46 purity; price 12/- per barrel for immediate sale; also Turnips and Mangolds cheap. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

County Wicklow Farmers’ Meeting. A Meeting of Farmers of the entire County from all Political Parties will be held at: The Square, Rathdrum, on Monday, 12th February, at One o’clock. To consider the best means of helping the Farmers. All Farmers requested to attend. Paul Costello, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretaries.

The following letter was considered: Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, 15th March, 1934. The Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

Dear Sir. At a Meeting of the United Farmers’ Protection Association, Barndarrig Branch, held on Tuesday, 13th March, the following resolution was passed unanimously: “That we request the Councillors to consider the Farmers abilities to pay rates for the coming year and to strike a rate accordingly.” Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary.

Finance Committee’s Report No. 2. on the Rate Estimates for the service of the financial year ending 31st March, 1936.

A Special Meeting of your Finance Committee was held in the Council Chamber, Court House, Wicklow, at 12 o’clock, noon, on Friday, the 6th March, 1936. The following Members attended: Councillor David H. Haskins, Chairman; Councillors Major Robert Smith, James Everett, TD; John P. O’Donnell and Christopher M. Byrne.

The Secretary submitted the following letter: Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, 1st March, 1936. The Secretary, County Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

Dear Sir. We are informed the Finance meeting of the County Council will be on Friday, the 6th March, at 11 am, with reference to striking the Rate for the coming year. A Committee of Farmers’ representatives of the County have been asked to wait on the Finance Committee and place their views before them.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Honorary Secretary.

The following Deputation presented themselves before the Committee: Messrs R. Kearon, Samuel Burgess, John Diver, Thomas G. Kingston, Jacob James Bourne, Michael Kinsella, James Kavanagh, and William E. Clune. Having heard the views of each member of the Deputation, the Committee proceeded to transact the business for which they were convened and the Deputation withdrew, having first asked the Committee to submit the following resolutions to the County Council: “We, the farmers, of the County Wicklow desire to point out to you that we cannot understand why you should ask us under present existing conditions to bear the intolerable burden of excessive Rates. Our financial position at present is deplorable, we find that we cannot pay our ordinary shop debts or buy even the necessities of life. Our families and our employees are grievously wronged and our homes are vanishing. We have not the money to buy seeds and manures and cannot obtain credit for such, and our farms are becoming wastes under these appalling conditions.

We appeal to you as Irish men of our kith and kin to consider without delay the gravity of our position and earnestly appeal to you for instant relief. We also request that we be given an extension of time until July 1st for payment of the current rate. We further ask you as Wicklow men to treat with the greatest charity those of our people who hopelessly find themselves in arrears.”

“That we, the Members, of the Knockananna Branch of the United Farmers’ Protection Association earnestly appeal to the Wicklow County Council to defer all Schemes that would be likely to increase the coming rate.”

The Secretary submitted the following letter: Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow. 13th March, 1936.

The Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

Dear Sir. We are informed a meeting of the Wicklow County Council will be held on Monday, 16th instant, with reference to striking the rate for the coming year. A Committee of farmers representative of the County have been asked to wait on the Councillors at that meeting and place their views before them.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

The Council consented to receive a large Deputation of farmers who were present, and who, through two of their representatives, Messrs. James Kavanagh and William E. Clune, submitted their views on the necessity for the County Council not alone seeing that a higher General Rate would not be struck, but that a rate lower than that in operation in the current financial year, 1935/1936, should be adopted.

Farmers’ Organisation

I congratulate you on your article on the “Needs of organisation” by the Farmers in a recent issue of your paper.1 You say “if a farmers’ organisation were in existence which would interest itself solely in the needs of the farming community, it would soon make itself felt in the councils of the country”. Allow me to state that there is such an organisation in existence since 1931 namely, the United Farmers’ Protection Association, of which Mr. Patrick J. Gaffney is the honorary general secretary, at 49 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin. This association has been working very hard, and against much opposition on all sides, but it is making great headway. Many who were afraid it was a political organisation are now seeing that it is not political, and is out solely to help all farmers. You will see by the County Council reports in the issue of your paper of 21st instant, that this association made a strong case before the Wicklow County Council that the farmers must get relief in the rates this year. This association is the only representative body of farmers who went before the Banking Commission and gave valuable evidence and proof as to the treatment of farmers by the banks. We welcome the co-operation of the Beet Growers’, Pig Producers’, Milk Producers’ and any other Farmers’ Association which will help us to alleviate the farmers’ burden. I am a member of the association since 1932, and I firmly believe were it not for the efforts of the association many of us, farmers, would not be in our homes to-day.

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Honorary County Secretary.

1 - See Wicklow People, 21.03.1936.

Dance Hall Licences

Mr. D. H. O’Leary applied on behalf of Miss Elizabeth Frances Bobbett, of Springfield House, Kilbride, for a dance hall license for Buckroney House, Sallymount, Ballymoyle. The dance was being held in aid of the funds of the United Farmers’ Protection Association. Granted.

A Chara. At a meeting of County Wicklow Farmers held on 10th June 1936, the following resolution was passed and I was directed to send it forward to the Executive Council. Resolution: That we protest against the inadequate representation of the Farmers interest on the Committee set up to investigate the Second Chamber.

Mise le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

United Farmers’ Protection Association. A Special Meeting of Butter Producers will be held in Barndarrig School on Tuesday, 16th June, 8 pm (new time). Elizabeth F. Bobbett. All Farmers Requested to Attend.

A Chara.1 I am directed by my committee to bring to your notice that the present price for wheat is quite inadequate. Owing to the increased price farmers had to pay for seed wheat, the failure of many crops of wheat, the destruction done to our crops by the rabbits, the heavy increase in the cost of binder twine (which is 7d a ball increased) and the increase in our rates, we demand 36s per barrel, 56 lbs to the bushel as a minimum price for millable wheat for coming harvest. We also demand the Government to put into force immediately a scheme for the destruction of rabbits similar to the musk rat scheme, the cost of which will be borne by the State, as the farmers have no money to pay men to exterminate the rabbits. We feel sure if some of the Department officials visited farms and districts so affected by the rabbits, they would not hesitate to put a scheme in force.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary, United Farmers’ Protection Association.

1 - This letter was published by the Wicklow People, 15.08.1936.

Facts for Farmers

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, County Secretary, United Farmers’ Association, writes enclosing copy of a letter sent from her Association to Dr. James Ryan on 22nd July and for which she received an official acknowledgment. Since sending that letter I have, she writes, been informed that the price of “Binder Twine” is further increased to one shilling a ball on last year’s prices, making an increase of 12s per cwt. “Binder Twine” is no small item in the farmer’s cost of harvesting. Further, there has been an increase of 2s per 10 stone sack on flour – 10s per ton on pollard; 12s 6d per ton on cooked-maize mixture; £1 per ton on flake meal during the past fortnight and about 30s per ton on bran since last year. Bacon has increased 10s per cwt., while the price fixed for bacon pigs has been reduced for the farmer. It is about time the farmers raised their voices and demand a price for their produce which will give them a decent living in their own country. We are told we are getting more for our grain and butter, etc., than the English farmer, but it is omitted to state that the English farmer is de-rated, while the rates in Irish Free State continue to rise.

Dances

Farmers’ Dance at Kilmacurra Park Hotel, Wicklow. On Tuesday, 20th October. A Spacious Ballroom and First-Class Dublin Band. Dancing: 9 pm to 4 am. Tickets 5/-. (Including Supper and Tax). Samuel B. Burgess, (Miss) Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretaries.

Queen Wilhelmina Seed Wheat for Sale, grown from fresh imported seed. 99 per cent germination; 99.4 per cent purity; Deptartment tested; price 32/6 per barrel: Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

Farmers’ Federation

Sir. I was very interested in a letter signed “Do Something,” which was published in the Irish Independent on the 9th instant re the organisation of farmers. For the benefit of your readers, I wish to make known that farmers of eleven counties and the Saorstat Pig Breeders’ and Feeders’ Association are most willing to co-operate in the formation of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, which is strictly non-political, non-sectarian, and non-everything save the farmers’ interests. The promoters of the Federation have been working for this united move for several years, but we know there are many people whose interest is to keep the farmers divided. Any of your readers who have the farmers’ interests at heart and have suggestions to make which will benefit the farmers, I would be glad if they would write to me.

(Miss) Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation. Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Women and Agricultural Wages Board

Through your paper I appeal to the farmers’ wives and daughters and to all girls engaged in country employment, which includes work on a farm, to protest most emphatically and demand recognition for your labour under the Agricultural Wages Bill. I wish to point out that at present the farmers’ wives and daughters, although they do a very considerable amount of work on the farm, are not included in the relief given under the agricultural grant for the rates.

Over a certain poor-law valuation a farmer gets allowed £12 10s off his PLV for each man or son employed on the land. The farmer who has no son, but, perhaps, three daughters, is given no relief whatever, and again, though the daughters receive no fixed salary, their labours are unjustly taxed by 3d per lb collected off their butter. I wonder how many business men would stand such a tax – 3d in every 1s – which may in some cases come up to £20 or £30 a year (an additional head rent). When is it all going to end? The farmers must be put in a position to pay any increased wages. We all agree the agricultural labourer is the worst paid of all, except the farmer himself.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. Public Conference in Barry’s Hotel, Dublin, 3rd March, 1937, 2 pm.1 All Farmers invited to consider present oppressive taxation. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary.

1 - The same advertisement was published in the Irish Press, 20.02.1937.

Butter Production

On reading in Wednesday’s “Independent” of the reported shortage of Saorstat creamery butter, and the suggestion that consumers would be obliged to use margarine or jams, I would like to bring the following facts before the public: The creameries were established to manufacture butter, but now many of them are supplying whole-milk to the city of Dublin, with a consequent drop in their production of butter. Now, since the Milk and Dairies Act came into force last November there seems to be a surplus of milk in Dublin; for instance, a farmer who usually supplied 60 gallons of milk daily in winter months to a distributer is now put on a percentage basis, and the distributor will only take 25 gallons; even farmers formerly supplying 20 gallons are now cut down to five gallons. Let me suggest a remedy. Restrict the creameries to manufacture butter instead of engaging in the whole milk industry in the city, and immediately through the Press inform the farmers that the levy on farmers’ butter will not be resumed. This would give the farmer who would have surplus milk some security to know he would have a free market for his butter in the Saorstat at a reasonable price. Many farmers went out of butter production when the levy of 4d per lb was put on their butter and went into the whole milk industry. This, coupled with the fact that hundreds of farmers went into the milk industry when the economic war destroyed the cattle trade has created chaos. Being a country with a surplus of milk the suggestion of the traders that we should import butter seems farcical, and we hope the Minister will listen to the farmers.

Irish Farmers’ Federation Public Conference in Barry’s Hotel, Gardiner’s Row, Dublin. Wednesday, 3rd March, 2 pm. All Farmers invited to consider present oppressive taxation. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Secretary.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. No meetings will be held this week as farmers are too busy on the land. We plough, we sow, we reap and mow, for nought but slow starvation, let us unite to assert our rights, through the Farmers’ Federation. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Samuel Burgess.

The Farmers and the General Election 1

Yielding to the wishes of a large number of farmers, the Executive Committee of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, at their Monthly Meeting in Dublin last Thursday, decided to convene a National Convention of farmers (and business men in Rural Areas) to be held in Barry’s Hotel, Dublin, at 2 pm on the 3rd of June 1937, to enable all, who so desire, to meet and consider the advisability, in the approaching General Election of electing their own Candidates to Dáil Eireann. All in sympathy with this project should attend the Convention. By Order, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary. Barry’s Hotel, Dublin, 27.05.1937.

1 - The same announcement was published in the Irish Times, 29.05.1937.

Increase in Farm Produce Prices 1

In the daily papers, and also in our local paper, “The Wicklow People”, last week, the following statement appeared: “The Free State Agricultural Price Index Number for May was 106,5 (based on 1911/13 100) compared with 103,6 in April, and 90 in May 1936. The British index for June was 131, or two points lower that for May, but 15 points higher than for June, 1936.”

To anyone not conversant with farming conditions, and the difficulties attached thereto, this statement re increased prices would lead them to believe that the farmers were prosperous. In order to give a fair statement as to the farmers’ position to-day, I would suggest that you would publish alongside the above statement the overhead charges the farmers had to pay in the years 1911/1913, and also the extra charges the farmers have to meet now. Also the cost of living figures for 1911/13 and 1937. Being a hard-working farmer, I have not the time to get the exact figures for you, but without question can say that the following items have been about 75 per cent increased, and some doubled. Fire insurance, National Health and Workmen Compensation Insurance, our rates are increased beyond comprehension. Our wages to-day are more than double 1911/13, and should be more, but we have not got it to pay. Even the shepherds dog licence is double. If you would also quote the prices for farm machinery for the two periods, I am sure your publication would be a source of education to many.

1 - A similar letter was published in the Irish Independent, 28.07.1937.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation

Dear Sir. On reading an issue of your paper about ten days ago I was glad to see the farmers of Coolmoyne and Fethard Co-Operative Society have given the lead to their fellow farmers in County Tipperary by forming a branch of the Irish Farmers’ Federation.

During the past two years hardly a week goes by without some reference in the Press to the necessity for the farmers of the Irish Free State to organise, and that a National non-political organisation was necessary. I would be grateful if you will publish this letter in your next issue, as I have been working for the past five years to bring the farmers into an organisation for their own benefit, and on the invitation of the Wicklow farmers we had several conferences in Dublin with farmers from fourteen counties and formed the Irish Farmers’ Federation on 3rd March, 1937. The Irish Farmers’ Federation is a registered Trade Union and strictly non-political and non-sectarian, and we ask all Farmers’ Associations to affiliate to the Irish Farmers’ Federation as their central body to do for farmers what the Federation of Industries does for their members.

I know from correspondence I have had that farmers, particularly in the South, are suspicious of any farmers’ organisation from past experience, but perhaps, it was partly the farmer’s own fault for not taking an active interest in his organisation.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation does not want to dictate to any Farmers’ Association or Vocational Association, but simply as a combination of them and in all their names to become the Central Body, and by having all interests united to work together for the benefit of agriculture. Our united voice must be heard. The farmers have depended too long on politicians to help them; they must pull together and help themselves or they will be forced to abandon their homes and seek a living in a foreign land. I hope many branches of the IFF will be formed in County Tipperary before long and any help my Executive can give we are only too pleased to do so. I am in touch with 20 Counties now.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary. Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow.

15th December, 1937.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. A National Farmers’ Conference will be held in Barry’s Hotel, Gardiner’s Row, Dublin on Thursday, 6th January at 1 pm. To make arrangements for a nation-wide organising campaign. A united front is necessary to save our industry. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Irish Farmers’ Federation

I kindly ask you to publish this letter, as I feel it my duty to contradict the statement made at the meeting held in Rathdrum on 9th instant of Fianna Fail farmers and supporters. I was amazed at the flagrantly incorrect statements (as reported) made by Mr. Christopher M. Byrne “That the Irish Farmers’ Federation was political, and had contested the elections.” Surely a man with as much experience of public life as Mr. C. M. Byrne must know that a Registered Trade Union is non-political. The IFF did not contest the election. There is nothing to prevent any Independent Farmer going up for election, and if the farmers wish to form a Farmers’ Party and support him outside the Federation they are quite entitled to do so. And this is exactly what happened at the last election. When I first joined a farmers’ union, which was the United Farmers’ Protection Association, Mr. C. M. Byrne was the chairman for County Wicklow, and de-rating was one of the chief objects in their programme. Surely if Mr. Byrne wanted to call a meeting of farmers he had a right to call it publicly, or did the Minister and Deputy Seamus Moore only wish to have a picked audience? Both these gentlemen got an opportunity to discuss and debate the farmers’ position in public on 1st November last. Why were they afraid to face a publicly convened meeting of the County Wicklow farmers of all political views? If Mr. C. M. Byrne is so solicitous for the benefit of the small farmers, why does he not use his powerful influence with the Government Party to have the tariff removed from poultry, eggs, and rabbits, which would mean so much increased income for them. The decline in poultry is about 3’000’000. The farmers of Wicklow, aye, the farmers of Eire, are as nationally minded as ever, it is easy for people with big salaries, and the prospect of 100 per cent increase, to talk patriotism, but the farmers won’t be fooled for ever. Farmers now realise they must fight for their just rights, and the IFF is open to farmers of all political opinions. It does not bother about politics, internal economics is its chief interest. The IFF is not opposed or hostile to the present or any Government, but we must protect our great national industry, and official figures prove the decline that has taken place. I was present at a National Convention of the United Farmers’ Protection Association on 29th June, 1933, which was addressed by Dr. James Ryan, he said: “We must maintain at least the amount of livestock we have” (see Irish Press report), and on 25th March, 1934, Dr. Ryan advocated the slaughter of 200,000 calves (see Irish Press report). Now he says, “take advantage of the schemes and guaranteed prices and produce more.” Where is the scheme to supply the farmers with seed wheat or to re-stock their lands? Of course, we know it is an old game of the politicians to keep the farmers divided.

The Secretary read the following communication: The Irish Farmers’ Federation. Secretary, Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, 28th January, 1938.

Dear Mr. Healy. My Committee desire to send a Deputation to the Road Board Meeting on the 7th February, and also to the meeting of the County Council on 21st February.

Would you kindly let me know at what hour these meetings commence. Hoping my application is in time.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

P. T. Healy, Esq. Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Wicklow. The following Members of a deputation from the Irish Farmers’ Federation were present and, with the consent of the Council, submitted their views as to the amounts which the County Council ought to raise by way of rates for upkeep and maintenance of Main and County roads during the financial year 1938/1939. They submitted that the Ratepayers of the County expected a reduced rate in the ensuing year and were quite unable to shoulder the burden of a rate heavier or even as heavy as the rate assessed for the year 1937/1938: Mr. John Diver, Ardinary, Brittas Bridge, Wicklow; Mr. William McDonald, Dunganstown, Wicklow; Mr. Edward Dunne, Ballygahan, Avoca; Mr. John Dowse, Kilcavan, Carnew; Mr. Alan Hadden, Johnstown, Tinahely.

The Council proceeded to consider the Provisional Road Works Scheme as prepared and submitted by the County Surveyor in respect of the financial year which will end on the 31st March, 1939. The following Summary shows the expenditure contemplated by the County Surveyor during that financial year.

Irish Farmers’ Federation

A Meeting. Under the auspices of the above will be held in the Town Hall, Fethard, on Sunday, February 20 at 2.30 pm. Speakers: Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett (Wicklow); Mr. Patrick Cogan (Carlow), Mr. Edward J. Cussen (Cork), Mr. Patrick J. Hartigan and Mr. John Boohan (Limerick), and others. No Politics – Business Only.

The following letter was submitted: The Irish Farmers’ Federation. Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, 2nd April, 1938.

A Chara. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the above held in Rathdrum on the 25th March. “That we ask the County Council to receive a small deputation at their next meeting to explain the hardships and loss to farmers by forcing them to sell immature stock to pay rates, and asking for an extension for payment of rates till 30th June, 1938.” Mise, le meas,

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

P. T. Healy, Esq., County Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

Order: The Council regret that they have no powers which might be used in extending the period for the collection of the 1937/38 rates to this date mentioned.

Painting Roads

I wish to draw attention to yet another example of the want of consideration for the largest body of ratepayers in the county, namely, the farmers. Last week I was going to Wicklow town and at the junction of the road leading to Brittas Bay (locally called the new line) men were painting on the road in large white letters “Go Slow,” the white line at the corner having been painted before Easter. No doubt all this is for the safeguard of the speed kings, queens, or [?]. But what about the poor farmer and his horse or the cottager and her donkey going to do the weekly shopping? One man told me he had to turn his horse and hike him over the painting. No regard is shown to the users of horses; they can fall and break a leg, or a shaft, or perhaps the driver’s neck. A few days later I noticed the “Go” had been covered with a fresh patch of tarred stones. I would suggest, to save expense, putting up a notice board at the corner that the motorists can see and remove the painting from the road.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett.

Irish Farmers’ Federation.1 Important Meeting of above will be held in Barry’s Hotel, Dublin, on Thursday, 9th June, at 2 pm. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

1 - The same announcement was published in the Irish Times, 04.06.1938.

Dear Sir. Your letter of 4th instant received to-day. I am very much surprised to see from it that you have not yet received the Annual Returns from our Auditors E. O’Connell & Co., 24 Dame St., Dublin, as I had all the necessary forms signed and returned to them by 14th June and thought that all was completed. I am writing Messrs O’Connell to-day and sending on your letter.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

Apology and thanks

Will you kindly permit me through your paper to apologise to the members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation of Annacurra branch for not attending their meeting on last Monday evening after they had specially invited me. I had three acres of first crop hay down, and as Monday afternoon was very fine I had to work hard at the hay. I have only two men at present, but thanks to them and to my very good neighbours who came in to help me with the hay we got most of it safely up by 9 pm.

When sufficient help came to the field I gladly relinquished my seat on the rake and retired to milk the cows and do the usual yard routine so that my men would not have to remain too late. I have the best men and the best neighbours in Ireland and am very grateful to them for their many kindnesses to me. I wish to thank the many friends and sympathisers who wrote to me since my appearance in court for rates I could not pay. I assure them I was glad of the opportunity to state my case before our highly esteemed Judge Comyn; in all fairness to myself it was the proper thing to do. I am not ashamed or afraid to work, but if the County Council strike a rate beyond the capacity of the farm to pay, it is not my fault if I default.

In 1931/1932 the rates were 4s 6d in the £, and that was sufficient to keep the local services going, hospitals, Home Help, Board of Health, etc. In 1936/1937 the rate was 12s 6d in the £. The majority of farmers have been paying rates out of capital. If they stated their case and showed what they had lost during the past six years it would show the public the true position of the farmers. It was untrue to say my land was fully stocked and that I made no effort to pay. One tenant had ten acres on the eleven months’ grazing up to February 1938. His rent had been paid in to the solicitor for the County Council towards my rates. This man took away his stock in December 1937 after the first seizure in the county. His division of land was idle till 5th May 1938. Another division had nothing on it only a donkey from October till I got some cattle at head rate on 21st May. On 19th April I got in 35 ewes and lambs at head rate, but they were so troublesome that at the end of three weeks I had to beg the owner to take them away. The fact that in the month of June I had 40 cattle coming in on 19th April, is proof enough that the land was idle during the time October to April. If it had been stocked there would have been no grass owing to the very dry spring. If I do owe rent and rates, thank God I do not owe much to shopkeepers, or to farmers. The rates and rent will be paid some time; they are secured on the land.

In conclusion I hope and pray that something will be done in the very immediate future to put the farmers in a position to pay their way.

Re “425 T” Annual Return 1937

A chara. I sent on your letter of 16th August to the Auditor who prepared the forms to be sent in, he did not send me any separate report, but he replied to say the man who was dealing with the Forms was away on holidays and he would have them attended to on his return.

I shall be seeing him during the coming week if possible and will write you then. I regret delay but owing to harvesting work it is difficult to get to Dublin at this time of year.

Mise le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, IFF.

Helping Agriculture

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, Springfield, Wicklow, in the course of a letter writes: “Sir. It is admitted by all that agriculture is the mainstay of our country. Also that farmers have been working at a considerable loss for the past six years owing to the circumstances over which we had no control. Now when our Government should be endeavouring to rebuild our ruined agriculture and enabling the farmers to produce more wealth from the land, what is the position to-day in this and other counties? On Wednesday last I attended a sale of seized cattle in Arklow when 13 cattle belonging to Mr. John Kinsella were offered for sale by a Court Official. Mr. John Kinsella is one of the hardest workers in the county, but like all of us cannot continue to pay increased expenditure on a diminished income. He sells milk to Dublin, which commodity is under the control of the Dublin Milk Board, he is only given a quota to supply 8 gallons daily although he could supply 20 gallons, but the distributer does not take the milk every day, it is left two days a week.

In 1914 Mr. Kinsella’s rates were £20 odd, this year they are £90, while everything the farmer needs to run his farm is from 120 per cent to 230 per cent above the 1914 prices, while our agricultural prices are not as good and we have less to sell. Our Government had no difficulty in finding the ten million pounds to pay England; they could find almost a quarter of a million pounds to give the Roscrea Meat Factory free material and then compensate them for not working. It is time our Government found money to compensate the farmers for their losses for the past six years. Farmers are not flying from the land, they are being driven from it.”

Sir. I feel it my duty, as General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, to state publicly that the Conference to be held in Limerick to-day (Saturday) is not being held under the auspices of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, neither have I been invited to it. When I heard of this Conference I wrote to Mr. Clancy, Secretary, Clare Farmers’ Party, and gave him certain information I had as to what was the cause of keeping the farmers divided, and warned him of the danger of leading the farmers into politics again. I explained to him that the IFF is a registered trade union and is open to farmers of all political outlook, and therefore is the only way to unite the farmers.

Members of the Wicklow Farmers’ Party have been invited to the meeting in Limerick, and they are members of the IFF, but the IFF has been ignored as a body, and nobody has done as much for the farmers of Ireland as the Executive and founders of the IFF.

I may add that the members of our Executive are all practical farmers, farming being their only means of livelihood to my knowledge, and it is only these farmers who are capable of speaking for the farming industry. If those people who want to start another organisation would only lend their energies to giving publicity to the very many and grave injustices the farmers are suffering at present it would go far to bring unity, instead of trying to keep the farmers divided.

In conclusion, I again state that any farmer can belong to the IFF so long as he accepts its rules, which are the trade union rules, no matter what party he wishes to follow. Surely when the trade unions have done so much for other workers we can do much for the farmers, who are the hardest workers of the lot. I have written this letter as an appeal to the farmers of Ireland to join the IFF. As their trade union, it will see justice done to all.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett. Springfield, Wicklow.

A Chara. I am obliged for your favour of 16th August last and I send you herewith the information requested: 1. As the Union was not registered till 27th April 1937 there were no members at 1st January 1937; 2. 2,500; 3. Nil; 4. 2,500. There was no special report submitted by the auditors. It is noted that the foregoing information should be inserted on Form.

Is mise le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

The Harvest

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow, writes in the course of a letter: Much has been written about the recent storms, but from the way it appears in our daily papers one not acquainted with country life would think that most of the harvest had been saved before the storm. Alas, such was not the case in this county. Hundreds of tons of hay are still out in the fields, and also a big percentage of the corn crop is still to be drawn to the yards.

I have spoken to many farmers on the harvest question and they say it is the worst they remember for up to thirty years. Now that threshings are in full swing and we have the results of our year’s labour, it is most disappointing. Owing to the very wet time, hundreds of barrels of oats and wheat have been returned to the farmers where the merchants rejected it.

Price of Pigs

What hope have these farmers of using up this corn? The price of pigs has been reduced three times in the last few months, and though the admixture was reduced last summer (about June, I think), and is only 10 per cent now, the price of feeding stuffs for pigs did not reduce. We are told by those who arrange the price we are to get for our pigs “that the balanced ration can be got at 9/11 per cwt.” They do not say if that price means the wholesale price to the shopkeepers. What about the freight to the farmer’s yard now that many of us cannot bring our horses on the slippery roads. The price of Clarendo, Marengo, and such like mixtures have been 11/- per cwt. all the summer, and the balanced ration 10/6 and 11/- per cwt. Anyone who fattens pigs knows that the months of June to September are the scarcest time for home-grown foods, generally used by small farmers to fatten pigs, and, surely, it is not fair to reduce the price when the pig is fattened at the most expensive time. It just shows how little the persons know about the matter.

Unless the Government give immediate relief to the farmers I think Dr. James Ryan need not fear a surplus of grain next year, as we will be forced out of tillage. If war comes and food is short don’t blame the farmers. They cannot go on producing year after year and selling below the cost of production.

National Farmers’ Conference.1 Barry’s Hotel, Great Denmark St., Dublin. Tuesday, November 1, 1938, At 2 PM. All Farmers and Farmers’ Organisations Invited. Thomas Burke, TD; Patrick Cogan, TD; John Murphy, Vice-President, Irish Farmers’ Federation; Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF; J. A. Kelly, Chairman, Clare Farmers’ Party; J. Clancy, Honorary Secretary (do.); Ernest Browne, Clare; Patrick J. Kettle, Dublin; Thomas G. Rice, Tipperary; Patrick J. O’Rourke, Leitrim.

1 - The same announcement was published in the Irish Times, 29.10.1938.

Dear Mrs Skeffington. Very many thanks for your circular in the activities of your League. I shall be very pleased to help in any way I can so long as it is kept non-political, or I should say open to every political mind, the same as we run our Irish Farmers’ Federation. We have members holding all political views, but once we meet under the banner of IFF politics does not enter into it, we work for all farming interests.

I would like to attend some of your meetings if possible I shall attend 18th December meeting, being a direct relation to the Teelings, I am interested in it. My mother’s mother was Elizabeth Teeling.

Please excuse this scribbled note as I am writing it in the train on my way to a meeting in Dublin. I lead a very busy life. You could have no idea of the difficulties under which I work to try to carry out my duties as Secretary of the IFF also and never had any training in secretarial work or took any part in public life till I was driven into the farmers organisation to try and save my home. If I can be of any help to speak at any of your meetings I shall do my humble best. I had been thinking lately, could we women get a deputation received by Mr. Eamon de Valera from the Joint Society of Women, and put the grave problems of farmers wives & children before him. It is almost impossible to get a Farmers deputation received by any of the ministers, the plight of farmers families is so bad I do think if we could get up a women’s deputation it might do some good; particularly as your organisation I think did get an interview with Mr. de Valera before the constitution was passed. You city people have no idea of the mental agony we go through in the country. We are afraid, every knock that comes to the door that it is the Flying Squad to seize our last beast. If you thought we could get the co-operation of Country Women’s Association etc. perhaps you would write me your views and I could go up and see you some day next week. Say Monday or Wednesday next.

Yours sincerely, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Farmers’ Meeting in Limerick

Mr. Thomas Burke, TD, Mr. Patrick Cogan, TD, and Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, will speak at a meeting in the George Hotel, Limerick, at 2 pm to-morrow, under the auspices of the Farmers’ Federation.

Irish Farmer’s Federation.

A Public Demonstration will be held in Rathdrum on 8th December at 1 pm to demand immediate relief for the Farmers. Full De-Rating, Moratorium on Annuities. Immediate Credit Facilities to re-establish Farmers in their homes. The Meeting will be addressed by William E. Clune. County Chairman IFF, Patrick Cogan, TD and Speakers from Louth, Tipperary and Kildare. All Farmers should attend, as we are considering STRIKE ACTION for all EIRE for this purpose. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Foreign Refugees

Sir. I read with interest in the daily newspapers of December 9, 1938, of a setting up of a Co-ordinating Committee for the Relief of Christian Refugees from Central Europe, and read the text of the appeal. This is a very praiseworthy and noble action, but, being brought up in a good Catholic home, I was always taught that charity begins at home. Knowing the conditions in rural Ireland to-day, and the poverty of the farmers, I feel compelled to write this letter to draw attention to their plight, and ask the members of the Committee which has been set up to look after the interests of foreign refugees would they help to keep our own kith and kin in rural Ireland and save them from enforced emigration?

It strikes me that subscription lists can be opened for various charitable purposes, but never a word of sympathy or a fund to help the farmers, who have lost so much, and of whom many are destitute. One of the many instances which came to my notice lately was a poor famer’s wife needing immediate hospital treatment. Her local doctor said he could not send her to the hospital or County Home as she was not entitled to a “red ticket”, and if he sent her to a Dublin hospital, he would be surcharged himself. The poor woman must suffer on. I wonder do the Committee realise the conditions of the famers. I note many eminent names, and feel sure that if they really understood the distress of the farmers they would do something to help them. I am sure one sentence from the Committee would be sufficient to bring relief to hundreds of thousands in rural Ireland.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett. Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Irish Farmers’ Federation 1

For the past few months hardly a day goes by without letters appearing in the Daily Press extolling the heart-breaking conditions that prevail in rural Ireland to-day. The condition has become so serious that several of the Bishops in their recent Lenten Pastorals referred to the “Flight from the Land” and the need for an immediate remedy.

In the Sunday Independent of 19th February a County Cork farmer and Mr. T. Lynch, dairy farmer, Waterford, both had excellent letters, and mentioned essential remedies, including “Funding of arrears of rates and annuities, including the coming year,” de-rating, a new Minister for Agriculture, a council for agriculture, and facilities to restock land.

As General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, I am in touch with most counties and have had seventeen counties represented in conference when we established the Federation in March, 1937. Strange to say, Waterford and Cork are the two counties that seem to have no organisation or are afraid to co-operate with their neighbouring counties. The IFF is a registered Trade Union, and was established to unite all existing Farmers’ Associations with the view of closer co-operation between farmers for the benefit of the industry, and is controlled by farmers only. One of the main objects of the Federation is to form a council of agriculture, elected from their own members representative of all branches of the industry, to act in a consultative and advisory capacity and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture. (I think my readers will agree that this would be most desirable following the disclosures of the Prices Commission and the Pigs Marketing Board). Since it was established the Federation has kept the farmers’ grievances before the Government and pointed out the necessary remedies. Below I give a few examples:

In May, 1938, the IFF issued a statement which was sent to An Taoiseach claiming compensation to the extent of one hundred million pounds to compensate the Irish farmers for the losses incurred as a result of the Economic War. Quite recently Mr. Erskine Hamilton Childers, TD, has publicly declared that 88 million pounds has been saved by the Land Annuities in the recent agreement with England. (Farmers of Ireland you have borne an unjust burden; don’t be misled now, and clutch at a dangling straw by way of a loan at interest. Ask yourself, a loan of what? A loan of your own money. Be men and demand compensation for your just rights). On 11th August, 1938, a deputation from the IFF and representative of eight counties was received by Dr. James Ryan, and at that interview we stressed the necessity for a council of agriculture, and stated the County Committees of Agriculture as at present elected did not represent the farmers’ interests, and that we could form a council of twelve or fourteen members embracing all branches of the industry. (We also stressed for the withdrawal of the Flying Squads and the funding of arrears of annuities, and Dr. Ryan promised he would speak to the Minister for Lands and other Ministers about it). The following resolutions were sent to the Government: On 9th June, 1938: “To defer the collection of all annuities and arrears pending the re-examination of the whole position regarding these charges. We demand further that this examination take place forthwith.” On 10th November, 1938: “That we consider the setting up of a Commission of Agriculture does not relieve the Government of the responsibility of relieving the farmers’ burdens.” On 19th January, 1939: “That this meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, while making it clear that they hold nothing personal against Dr. James Ryan, TD, calls for the resignation of the Minister for Agriculture owing to the hopeless failure of the Departmental administration of farming matters in this country.”

I mention these points to show you that the Federation, though working quietly and perhaps unnoticed by some, has been wide awake to the necessity for justice for the farmers. The work of the Federation has been carried on voluntary and we have not pressed farmers for large subscriptions and funds are small, so we cannot advertise to get publicity, but the fact that we are steadily increasing membership shows that at last the farmers realise their only hope is in a united body.

The Federation is strictly non-political, and it does not interfere in the running of any county association but asks their co-operation, and asks all farmers to join the IFF. I would ask any farmer who is desirous of starting a branch in his or her parish to write to me for full particulars.

It is not much for Ministers to advise us to produce more when at the same time their Flying Squad is seizing the last cow or the horses out of the plough, driving the people off the land and many to an untimely grave.

Resolutions and deputations have been turned down and the position of the farmers is so desperate that the farmers are ready to “down tools” when called upon by the Federation and co-operate in a National Farmers Strike to withhold supplies of food from cities and towns in Eire.

1 - The same letter was published in the Connacht Tribune, 18.03.1939 and the Nationalist and Munster Advertiser, 18.03.1939.

Poison Notice. Take Notice the lands of Springfield, Kilbride, in my possession, are laid with poison owing to lambs being killed. Elizabeth F. Bobbett.

Sir. May I, through the courtesy of your paper, reply to a letter published in the Saturday Herald, April 22, 1939, and signed by “P. J., Claremorris, April 20, 1939”. In justice to the farmers of Eire, I feel it my duty to challenge this slander, for such it is, and I would begin by asking “P. J.” is he prepared to prove his statements by giving his full name and address through the Press. He stated in his letter: “The farmers of this country are a lazy lot. They won’t pay their bills; they won’t pay rates or land annuities – in fact, they won’t pay anything.” I have been before the Banking Commission and heard it stated there by English bankers that they looked on the Irish farmers as most honourable clients. “P. J.” says he is a cattle dealer and shopkeeper. Will he state publicly the profit he made on the numerous cattle export licences he obtained, even during the period when the farmers were debarred from getting licences, because farmers were not exporters? When the burden of the Economic War was thrown on the farmers and they had to sell their stock at less than a third of their value, did “P. J.” give the farmers from his shop a stone of sugar or a pound of tea at half-price, or what did he contribute to the national Economic War? I feel sure the farmers of Mayo will very much resent his accusations, and will dispose of their stock to some dealers other than “P. J.” in future, and will find a more sympathetic shop to purchase their groceries. The farmers, through their demonstration in Dublin, have unmasked the skeleton.

The following letter from the Irish Farmers’ Federation was submitted: Springfield, Kilbride,

Wicklow, 26th June, 1939.

The Secretary, County Wicklow County Council, Courthouse, Wicklow.

A chara. At a meeting of the County Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in Aughrim on the 20th instant, I was directed to forward you the following resolution and to ask the members of the Wicklow County Council to press for a very special increase in the Agricultural Grant for County Wicklow, owing to the exceptional position of County Wicklow with regard to motor traffic compared with other counties. Resolution: That pending de-rating we call on the County Council to immediately call on the Government to ask them to give an extra Agricultural Grant to County Wicklow, owing to the condition Wicklow bears in relation to Dublin especially on the subject of roads and motor traffic.

Mise, le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County and General Secretary.

Order: Copy of this letter to be sent to the Executive Council of the Government.

Proposed by Councillor George Heatley; Seconded by Councillor Martin Gleeson.

Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, 26th June, 1939.

Dear Mr. Healy. Will you please convey my sincere thanks to the Members of the County Council for their kind resolution of sympathy on the death of my dear mother, RIP. I regret I have been so long in answering your kind letter, but I still have over 100 letters to answer.

Yours sincerely, Elizabeth F. Bobbett.

What the Farmers Need

Now that our politicians have gone on holidays, perhaps the Sunday Independent would allow me to give my impressions as to the causes for the “Flight from the Land,” and the only remedy. For some time past there have been various articles published from distinguished pens on the subject of rural Ireland. The latest scheme proposed by Mr. J. J. Holloway suggests “working exhibits of Irish manufactured goods in country towns would help to spread the light of what Ireland has accomplished industrially, and stimulate young people in taking an interest in matters economic.”

The mighty plough

I do not claim by any means to wield a distinguished pen. I am a farmer and believe the plough is mightier than the pen. Holding the position of General Secretary to the Irish Farmers’ Federation brings me in touch with farmers in all counties, and knowing the conditions under which they live, on reading such suggestions as that outlined by Mr. Holloway, or An Taoiseach’s idea that cheap wireless sets would solve the problem, I wonder can it be possible that these gentlemen are so completely out of touch with realities, and if this is the case the only thing to open their eyes is for them to visit the counties with members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation to show them round and let them get first-hand information from the farmers themselves.

With regard to stimulating people in rural Ireland in taking an interest in matters economic, the Irish Farmers’ Federation has been a good school for this. The whole cause of the “Flight from the Land” is the uneconomic state of agriculture. In a few words I give you the remedy – restore fixity of tenure to the farmers: give them security in their homes, compensate them for the extraordinary losses they sustained during the economic war, and reduce taxation on them.

No money to buy

If the industrialists’ business men, professionals and others have any sincerity for the well being of the country, let them now bear their share for the economic war, which they were not asked to bear up to now, and so restore the agricultural community to a prosperous position. What use or enjoyment can the holding of an exhibition in a country town provide for the farmers and rural workers when they have not the money to buy the products? If they had the money they could go at any time to the towns or cities and purchase there.

We realise that agriculture has been and is being sacrificed to subsidise Irish industries to the overwhelming extent of over £20’000’000. Unless the farmer gets justice he will be forced to cease buying Irish manufactured goods.

Security

Wireless in the home has its advantages, but I think the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, for it would tend to spread discontent with our lot. Again, when so much money is being voted for the revival of ancient customs and language, the wireless is drawing people in the opposite direction.

We cannot live on sentiment, as our politicians would like us to believe. It is very easy for them to talk when they have increased their own salaries, secured themselves with pensions, and don’t even pay income tax. It sounds well to say we must keep Irish dancing and culture alive, but let our politicians realise that the people of rural Ireland are more concerned with trying to keep the family alive. Leave us security in our homes, and we can find our own amusements.

Plight of the Farmers

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, general secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, in the course of a letter writes: Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Galway, when he formally opened Muintir na Tíre Rural Week at the University College, Galway, urged the farmers to organise, and adopt newer and better methods of production.

In 1931 there was a world slump in agriculture and the countries which to-day are pointed out to us by everybody as a headline to follow are Denmark and New Zealand. In Denmark, Government assistance bringing in laws providing for moratoriums, the reduction of interest rates on mortgages, alleviation of property – taxes etc., and excise duties on butter and margarine were provided by the Danish Government, to help agriculture, and in that country in January, 1933, a further devaluation of the Krone assisted in easing the burdens of the farmer to some extent. The tendency generally there was to relieve the countryman of some of the expense borne by him and to transfer it to the townsman. The cost to the latter may be high, but if the farmer again attains stability and a spending power it cannot fail to confer benefits on all classes of the community. It may be a highly desirable consummation.

Example of New Zealand

Quite recently Mr. Walter Nash, Minister for Finance for New Zealand, visited Dublin and had interviews with our Ministers of State, and it was reported in our daily Press that New Zealand had taken control of the credit of the country, and had greatly improved the position of the agricultural industry there. It appears that our Government of Eire has no control over the currency in Eire or, if it has, refuses to use the currency to the advantage of the farmers.

Following the five years’ economic war came a disastrous harvest in 1938, and the outlook for the 1939 harvest is not hopeful. The farmers bore the whole burden of the economic war, leaving them without capital, stock or credit, and many of them steeped in debt to banks and accumulated arrears of rates and annuities which they are unable to pay. In these circumstances, how can we produce more? While our agricultural prices were reduced to one-third during the economic war, the rates on agricultural land soared in some cases up to three hundred per cent. and our cost of production was doubled. The Irish farmer is willing to produce anything on his farm that will show him a moderate profit, but in the present state we cannot produce at a profit.

Bishop’s Advice to Farmers 1

Sir. On reading the address given by Most Reverend Dr. Browne, Bishop of Galway, when he formally opened Muintir na Tíre Rural Week at the University College, Galway, on August 13, anyone not conversant with the true position of the agricultural industry today and the causes thereof would certainly take it that our Irish farmers were a lazy, ignorant, careless lot, and his Lordship urged the farmers to organise and adopt newer and better methods of production. His Lordship may not be aware of the existence of the Irish Farmers’ Federation which has spread to twenty counties. If he is not the fault lies with the daily Press who won’t give the Irish Farmers’ Federation a fair show, and for some reason keep the public in the dark about us. As briefly as possible allow me to point out a few of the causes why our production has fallen.

In 1931 there was a world slump in agriculture and the countries which to-day are pointed out to us by everybody as a headline to follow are Denmark and New Zealand. In Denmark, Government assistance bringing in laws providing for moratoriums, the reduction of interest rates on mortgages, alleviation of property taxes, etc., and excise duties on butter and margarine are provided by the Danish Government to help agriculture, and in that country in January, 1933, a further devaluation of the Krone assisted in easing the burdens of the Farmer to some extent. The tendency generally there was to relieve the countryman of some of the expense borne by him and to transfer it to the townsman. The cost to the latter may be high, but if the farmer again attains stability and a spending power it cannot fail to confer benefits on all classes of the community. It may be a highly desirable consummation.

Quite recently Mr. Walter Nash, Minister for Finance for New Zealand, visited Dublin and had interviews with our Ministers of State, and it was reported in our daily Press that New Zealand had taken control of the credit of the country and had greatly improved the position of the agricultural industry there. It appears that our Government of Eire has no control over the currency in Eire, or if it has it refuses to use the currency to the advantage of the farmers.

Following the five years’ economic war came a disastrous harvest in 1938, and the outlook for 1939 harvest is not hopeful. The farmers bore the whole burden of the economic war, leaving them without capital, stock or credit, and many of them steeped in debt to banks and accumulated arrears of rates and annuities which they are unable to pay. In these circumstances how can we produce more? While our agricultural prices were reduced to one-third during the economic war the rates on agricultural land soared in some cases up to three hundred per cent, and our cost of production was doubled. The Irish farmer is willing to produce anything on his farm that will show him a moderate profit, but in the present state we cannot produce at a profit.

On the 5th July last a deputation from the Irish Farmers’ Federation had an interview with Dr. James Ryan and put up to him six points which we consider vitally necessary if the agricultural industry is to be brought back to prosperity as follows: 1) The grant of £ per £ of the PLV on each holding (with a minimum of £ 25) as a partial recompense for losses suffered during the economic war, and to provide funds for reconstruction purposes. 2) Complete derating of agricultural land and buildings. 3) A wage subsidy of 10s per week to be paid to each farmer in respect of each worker, whether a member of his family or an employee – 5s of this to be passed on to the worker immediately. 4) Remission of annuities. 5) Fixity of tenure. 6) Withdraw the sheriffs and flying squads from the counties.

Dr. Ryan refused to consider even one of the six points or hold out any hope for the farmers.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation is composed of practical working farmers from the various counties, and we have given great time and study to the question of re-establishing agriculture and rural life, and until our demands are granted there can be no improvement. The overhead charges and cost of production must be brought down or the farmer cannot produce and money must be provided to put the farmer working again.

The flight from the land is not caused by the dullness in rural life and the attractions in the cities – it is economic. There is no life so full of interest as life on the land where you are dealing with nature every day. City people often blame the farmers for the high cost of living when they pay 6d for a cabbage or 11d for a loaf, but they should ask themselves is it not the high cost of Government? The price the consumer pays bears no relation to the price the farmer receives. The Federation is prepared to supply a Council of Agriculture who would advise and consult with any Minister for Agriculture for the wellbeing of our industry, and surely those living by farming should be the best judges as to the farmers’ requirements.

1 - Parts of this letter were published in the Irish Independent, 24.08.1939.

Farmer’s Dance

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Secretary of the Farmer’s Federation will attend dance organised by Mullagh branch on 15th November.

Agricultural Consultative Council

A special meeting of Farmers’ Organisations was held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin, under the auspices of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, President of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, presided, and speaking to the Consultative Council he said we had been trying for a long time to get recognition for the Federation, and we had also been demanding to know who were the Government’s advisors who had foisted the present agricultural policy on us.

Mr Con Ryan, Cappamore, said that the Federated Creameries’ Union, which represented over forty creameries in Munster, had been refused representation, and they were the people who milked the cows and were most entitled to represent the Dairying Industry and not the IAOS. He was told to say that the Federated Creameries were wholeheartedly behind the Irish Farmers’ Federation, and he was told to ask the support of the Irish Farmers’ Federation in demanding representation for the Federated Creameries. He hoped the IFF would send forward then representatives.

Mr. John Moriarty, Kerry Farmers’ Association agreed that it would be desirable to have two representatives, even though we all agreed it was totally inadequate representation. It was the general opinion of the meeting that the IAOS and the County Committees of Agriculture did not represent the farmers.

The following resolution was proposed by Mr. John Moriarty (Kerry), and seconded by Mr. W. Catey (Carlow). That having regard to the fact that major points of policy such as Compulsory tillage have been settled before the proposed Consultative Council has been called together, that the representation offered to practical farmers is inadequate and that the functions of the Council are not clearly defined, we accept under protest the representation offered to the Irish Farmers’ Federation, and accordingly name Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, Punchestown House, Naas, and Mr. John Murphy, Red Cow Dundalk, as representatives of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Another resolution, proposed by Mr. Cornelius F. McLoughlin (Dublin), and seconded by Mr. W. Norris (Waterford) “So that the Consultative Council may be more representative of the producing interests, we demand that representation on it be accorded to the Irish Federated Creameries, The Kerry Farmers’ Association, The Cork Farmers’ Association, Clann na Talmhan, and the Irish Pig Producers Association.” was passed unanimously.

Those present included: Messrs. John Murphy, Edmond Murphy, John F. Conaty, Con C. Ryan, Richard Hipwell, William E. Clune, Edward Dunne, J.J. McCarthy, James King, John Comerford, P. McGorisk, W. Norris, John Rooney, R. McDonald, T. Ignatius Arthurs, Stephen Rynne and the Secretary, Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett.

Frank Aiken, Minute to the Taoiseach

A Chara. Enclosed herewith are two advertisements offered to the daily papers on Friday 17th instant, the publication of which was stopped by Censor at the request of the Minister for Agriculture. Is mise le meas, Frank Aiken.

A) Irish Farmers’ Federation: Manifesto

Having tried by every other means at our disposal and explored every avenue open to us by Deputations and otherwise to the Minister for Agriculture, we are reluctantly compelled to take Strike Action in order to focus public attention on the plight of our industry and to obtain redress for our grievances. We the Executive of this Organisation appeal to all farmers and the public generally for their unstinted support both active and financial in our fight for a decent standard of living for all those engaged on the land.

Farmers of all denominations be loyal to your comrades and yourselves. On your co-operation depends the success or failure of your cause. Stand firm in your own interest and once and for all put an end to slavery and persecution of which you have so long been the victims.

Signed: John J. O’Kennedy, President; Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

B) The Irish Farmers’ Federation: Strike Notice

It is officially announced by the Central Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation that a complete standstill order of all forms of agricultural produce takes place as from Saturday 18.11.1939. The active co-operation of all members of the community is earnestly requested, all fairs, markets and other forms of carrying out the turnover of agricultural produce is totally prohibited. All organised farmers stand together in this fight for our just demands.

Signed: John J. O’Kennedy, President; Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Increased Prices 1

We hear a good deal of talk about prices control and a Prices Commission, but like all other Commissions it begins and ends at talk plus expense on the taxpayers. The recent increase of 1½d per lb on sugar calls for some enlightenment on the sugar industry. During the past year whenever the farmers asked for derating of agricultural land, the politicians always voiced in loud tones – to give derating would mean that the price of sugar would have to be raised ½d a lb and they could not do that on the working man and the small farmer.

Last spring I believe the beet growers’ representatives pressed for an increase of 1/3d per lb on sugar so as to give the Irish farmer an increase of 6s 6d per ton on the beet crop, but this increase was refused. What has been the result? A decline of 9’000 acres under beet this season, and a decline of 30’000 acres under beet in the 1937/1938 season. I ask the general public to consider if this is good business, to build three additional sugar factories and then not give the farmer a remunerative price for this crop? Beet is a crop that gives a lot of employment on the land, to transport concerns, and to factory workers, so the decrease of almost 40’000 acres in the past few years has helped to increase unemployment.

Had the farmers’ just demands been acceded to, this sugar crisis would have been averted. How can the present increase in the price of flour and wheaten flour be justified when all the wheat imported since last June or July was bought at the lowest price for over 200 years on the international market? As there are only 25 barrels of home grown wheat used with every 75 barrels of imported wheat and as the Irish farmers have got no increase in price, it cannot be put down as helping agriculture. Members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation have constantly raised the question: what is it costing the country by not giving the farmers derating? The public must also remember that it is only by our exports, 95 per cent of which are agricultural exports, that money can be brought into this country; therefore the logical conclusion is that the farmers must be helped in every possible way to increase production and increase exports if the rest of the population of this country is to be provided for.

1 - Similar letters were published in the Wicklow People, 11.11.1939 and the Farmers’ Gazette, 11.11.1939.

Irish Farmers’ Federation: Official Statement

Having read in the Press report Dr. James Ryan’s statement to the effect that he was unaware what the Irish Farmers’ Federation were on strike for, I consider it my duty to put the following points before the public, as it is erroneous on the part of the Minister for Agriculture to state that he does not know the demands of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. On 5th July 1939 when five points were put before him as being of vital and urgent necessity to the farming interests, Dr. Ryan refused to consider any one of the five points, they were as follows: 1) £1 per £ of our PLV as partial compensation for our Economic War losses. 2) A Wage Subsidy of 10s 0d per week for each worker, whether member of the family or not, 5s 0d to be given to the worker and 5s 0d retained by the farmer. 3) Complete de-rating. 4) Abation of Annuities. 5) Security of Tenure.

When the European Crises began on the 6th September we sought an interview immediately with Dr. Ryan and offered him our full co-operation in increasing the nations food supply, if he would co-operate with us, and at that interview Dr. Ryan promised the Irish Farmers’ Federation adequate representation on any board set up. We farmers resent any persons fixing prices or anything about the sale of our produce without consulting us the producers. At that interview which was very short we asked Dr. Ryan to receive us at a very early date, to discuss the position fully. We were received on 14th September by Mr. Eamon de Valera in the absence of Dr. Ryan and we told Mr. de Valera that in order to be put in a position to produce food, we must have immediate reliefs. We asked for a moratorium on arrears of rates and annuities, and complete de-rating and the withdrawal of the Flying Squad and money to enable us to produce. Mr. de Valera was also asked not to make any agreement regarding agriculture without consulting the farmers. He said (in effect) that the Government had no money to give these demands of the farmers, and that if he were to impose taxes to meet our demands that the farmers who are the biggest tax payers would be paying it themselves. He referred to other Trade Unions going on strike to have their grievances remedied, and that the farmers could not go on strike. We have been driven to take this measure of strike as a protest in order to bring our demands before the public. The three demands we asked for immediately do not entail any extra expense on the General Public they are: The Demands are Security of Tenure, De-rating of agricultural land and buildings and a Moratorium on all arrears of Rates and Land Annuities. Everyone should be aware that the farmers are the wealth producers of the nation and it is our interest to increase production, but production must be made profitable. We are the only Registered Trade Union ever subject to a complete Black Out by the Censor, which fact is very much resented throughout the country. In order to remove all doubt we now wish to repeat that the complete withholding of all Agricultural Produce must continue until such time as the Government grant our just demands.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Live Stock Sales

The Strike having been called off, as announced in the papers of December 2nd, farmers are herewith advised that the usual Live Stock Sales will take place throughout the Country. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation.

Irish Farmer’s Federation 1

We wish to thank all who co-operated in making such an outstanding success of the recent strike. In particular, we wish to pay a special tribute to those creameries who co-operated with us. Assuring them of our co-operation at all times. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Wicklow.

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Press, 09.12.1939, the Irish Times, 09.12.1939 and in the Kerryman, 16.12.1939.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation. The Recent Strike

In your issue of the 9th instant there appeared a Leading Article on the Farmers’ Strike, and as this article seems to be written from the political point of view, I think in fairness to the farmers as a whole, I must ask you to kindly publish the enclosed letter which appeared in the Dundalk Democrat of 9th December, under the heading, “What Do The Farmers Want, Anyway?” This letter shows from the remarks and writings of prominent people, that all is not as it should be with the Agricultural Industry, and the writing is on the wall.

In your Leading Article you conclude by saying: “There is urgent need for a proper organisation of farmers that could examine all questions of common concern.” Your writer would seemingly ignore the fact that the Irish Farmers’ Federation is a Registered Trade Union, and draws no distinction between large or small farmers or any branch of farming, grass or tillage. We tried by every other means at our disposal to secure justice for our industry, and had no other alternative but to declare a general strike. When any other Trade Union declares a strike, the Government does not evoke the Emergency Powers Act to deal with the situation. The responsible Minister concerned always seeks an interview with the parties and endeavours to arrive at a satisfactory settlement.

There is at present a unique opportunity for the farmers of Eire to regain their lost export trade at satisfactory prices, and if we had a capable Minister for Agriculture who would do justice to his Department, he could use our Strike Demonstration as a very powerful weapon in securing remunerative prices on the export market. As regards price of milk and the difference between what is paid by the creameries and that given by the Dublin wholesalers that matter was amply dealt with in an article during the strike by Mr. Patrick Ryan, Secretary of the Leinster Milk Producers’ Association, and I know that the creamery suppliers in the South and West have no delusions over the matter.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF. (We are at a loss to understand what Miss Bobbett means by our writing from the political angle. We have always stressed on farmers the necessity of rigidly excluding politics from their deliberations. The letter which Miss Bobbett asks us to reproduce from another paper is a lengthy anonymous production, which is now out of date. Editor.)

Dear Mr Kerr. The matter of Ploughing Matches came before the National Convention yesterday, and the decision of the meeting was that our resolution of 17th August 1939 must stand. The resolution was as follows: “That in view of the serious economic position confronting Irish Farmers and failing a satisfactory adjustment of Farmers’ grievances before the 15th October 1939 we call upon the farmers of Ireland to allow no ploughing matches to be held this year.” This resolution was passed unanimously and was sent to the National Ploughing Association and to the County Secretaries of the IFF.

It is up to the members of the IFF not to support these matches and to have them cancelled if possible. There are no matches being held in Wexford or Carlow or Louth, and yesterday the representation from South Meath stated that Longwood County Meath had refused to accept the grant from the County Committee of Agriculture for the County Champions match which was to be held in Longwood this year and they are not holding it. Then the County Committee of Agriculture wrote to Slane Meath and offered them £8 of an increase in a grant if they would a match, and they refused. So you see it is these Committees who want a political platform and to expend the taxpayers money who are encouraging these matches.

I would ask you as a member of the IFF to be loyal to the decision of the Convention yesterday, out of a large representation from counties there was only one man to vote in favour of ploughing matches.

If the economic position of the farmers is improved during 1940 I am sure the Federation would do everything to encourage these matches next year and even provide special matches. I suppose you read the official announcement in the papers during the week that Dr. James Ryan said there was no chance of getting imported seed oats and that it would be extremely difficult to secure seed from our neighbours, so that is not much encouragement to plough. How very different to the Minister for Agriculture in Northern Ireland who sent a letter to every farmer in the six counties and told them to plough (and they get a grant of £ 2 per acre for ploughing lea) and not to worry about seeds as it was his duty to ensure that they got seeds. I write this so that you can have it for your meeting to-night. Yours sincerely, Elizbeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Enforcing The Tillage Order

Dear Sir. The notice in the Daily Press of 23rd instant states that the Department of Agriculture’s statement says “the Minister cannot now tolerate further delay in cultivation of the prescribed area, and he has arranged for his officers, within the next week, to take possession of holdings the occupiers of which are not tilling the required area.” It also states that an amending order under the Emergency Powers (No. 12) Order, 1939 (Amendment) Order, 1940, made by the Government on 15th March is to ensure that in the event of the Minister taking possession of the lands of an occupier who is in arrears with the payment of his annuities or rates, the property of the Minister’s conacre tenants – their horses, implements and crops – shall not be liable to seizure in respect of those land annuities or rates.

It is of interest to recall the facts that on numerous occasions since 1937, the members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, both by letter and on deputations, have always stressed the matter of seizures. We have pointed out to the Ministers for Agriculture, Lands, and Local Government that owing to the losses incurred in the economic war, many farmers, especially the small farmers in the mountain areas who depended on the sale of their young cattle as stores, had been depleted of stock and their lands were idle, being unfit, in most instances, for tillage. We have asked that where people reduced in such a way through no fault of their own, had their land idle and were in arrears with either rates or annuities, that if those people could let their land that the tenants’ stock would be safe from seizure, but to our requests the Minister’s reply was that legislation would be necessary, etc., etc. Now it is well known that for several years past there are thousands of acres in different counties that have had to lie derelict. I have even known a case in this county where the horses were seized out of the mowing machine. Can the farmers be blamed if their lands are bare? What provision has the Minister for Agriculture made to provide us with seeds and manures? We are told we can get loans up to £100 to buy agricultural machinery; but, on enquiries, we find such loans would not apply for the purchase of tractors. Also if a farmer is two years in arrears of annuities he need not apply for a loan as he won’t get it.

The burden of financing the farmers to purchase seeds has been thrown on to the County Councils, where the most of the money comes out of the farmers’ own pockets – “Rob Peter to pay Paul” – before we have any guarantee that we will get a remunerative price for what we produce or that we can get sale for it at all, our costs of production are rising daily. Where are the unfortunate farmers to get the money to pay labour, buy seeds, etc., to produce these crops, which are so essential to the country? It might be well to remind the public that it is not for fear of a shortage of food in Eire, as the only crops we could be short of are wheat and beet. We farmers by producing livestock, butter, eggs, etc., for export, are the producers of the wealth of the nation, and the whole country is depending on our success.

Therefore, it is time the Government treated us with justice and compensated us for our losses in the economic war before they make us the slaves to produce food stuffs at an uneconomic price controlled by the British Food Controller.

Only A Day’s Outing

As I was one of the party of women who took part in a parade during the course of Baltinglass Ploughing Match on 31st January, the parade being staged as a protest against the present uneconomic conditions of farming, I could not help seeing the competitors at work, as some of the sets were arranged near the road ditch, and the conduct that was permitted was unbelievable. What are ploughing matches for? I should say they are only a day’s outing for some of the locals and an advertisement for the implement manufacturers, as these people can afford to advertise their goods. It is certainly not to help the farmer. More practical help this year would be for those manufacturers to give free seeds to a certain number of farmers in a district where a ploughing match is usually held, but they would want to also give the farmer a guarantee from the Ministers concerned, that his crop would not be seized for rates or annuities, so that the farmer could look with some hope to his harvest, and so increase the food production of the nation. With regard to the committees that promote ploughing matches, only a very small percentage of these committees are farmers, the majority being in some way more or less in receipt of Government pay, such as school teachers, pensioners, county council workers and politicians.

Agriculture’s Missing Link 1

During the past few weeks in our daily and weekly papers one sees great prominence given to the all important necessity for increased food production, both for man and beast.

A special announcement was made through the Department of Agriculture to the effect that there was no excuse why the farmers could not greatly increase their tillage this year, more so than they did when the Compulsory Tillage scheme was brought out in 1917 during the Great War. In the statement from the Department, the public are informed that there are more agricultural horses, more ploughs, more tractors, than we had in 1917, therefore, there was no excuse why the farmers could not greatly increase their acreage under tillage, much more so than they did in 1917/1918. Alas! we come to the missing link – Money. Of what use are all these horses, ploughs, etc., if the farmer has not the money to buy them? It is like the poor child looking into the confectioner’s window at the sugar cakes. Of course, you will be told farmers could procure loans (but at 6 per cent) to purchase machinery, but anyone who reads down the circular to be filled in before the Agricultural Credit Corporation would sanction a loan, would find that you would almost want to be in a position not to need money before you would be considered credit-worthy.

It is only fair to the farmer to review the position of agriculture at the outbreak of the European War in 1914. Almost all Irish farmers were then in a fairly good, progressive way of working and making a little profit from their land, which was then in a much higher state of fertility than to-day. Most of them also had through their hard work and savings some little resources in capital, so that when war broke out in 1914 any one of them could double their output of farm produce inside two years’ time. Unfortunately, the farmers of Eire have just come through one of the worst wars possible, an Economic War, in which many of our farmers have been killed outright and others so severely wounded that they may never recover, and all so badly injured that they need to get special care and attention and time to recover. In plain words, the position of most farmers to-day is that their resources have been exhausted; land fertility has deteriorated; land is unstocked, and farmers are not in a position to utilise it to the full advantage. To get some idea of the losses to farmers during the Economic War – for the five years of the Economic War we find a total loss in our agricultural exports alone of 117 million pounds, and exports are practically only one-third of our total production. All farmers know of the happenings in the home markets, especially from the time that the quota system was introduced and we may safely put the losses on our home market at 234 million pounds, making a total loss to agriculture between home and export markets of 350 millions.

We find ourselves to-day with almost a million acres less tillage crops and half a million less livestock than in 1914, no resources to fall back on, no credit to be got, and in fact, the great majority of the real farmers of this country in debt to banks and shopkeepers, and in arrears with rates and annuities. If a national catastrophe is to be avoided every possible help must be given to the farmers. Even in the Lenten Pastorals, the Most Reverend Dr. MacNeely and Most Reverend Dr. Naughton, stressed the need for increased food production and that it was a patriotic duty, and that all classes should give whole-hearted co-operation, but that it is only right that the farmer in responding to the call should be safeguarded against undue risks.

In fairness to the farmers of Eire, I beg to remind the public that deputations of members from the Irish Farmers’ Federation went to An Taoiseach and Dr. James Ryan last September and offered the Government our co-operation in increasing the nation’s food supply, but pointed out the relief necessary to farmers to enable us to do so. The present state of affairs should enlighten the public that there is something very wrong in our present financial and economic policy, when on one side you have 100’000 unemployed, and on the other our farms are understaffed and under-stocked. We were told recently to produce more pigs, but I understand the bacon factories are packed full of bacon which cannot be disposed of. Why? If you follow the advertisements of one of the leading factories in the daily papers during the past week you will see “Bacon pigs not wanted.” Yet many of our people are hungry, because they have not the money to buy food.

In my humble opinion, we are only at the beginning of a very serious time. If the European War continues there will be more demand for our produce, but unless the farmers get immediate relief and are guaranteed some security in their industry, the position is hopeless. In plain words and I speak from experience, I know many districts where the few cattle on hands will have to be disposed of to meet rates or buy seeds, and with the prospects of obtaining artificial manures for season 1940/1941 very obscure, to my mind it is necessary to hold all the livestock possible in order to utilise the straw and make manure for 1941 tillage crop. Recent pronouncements from industrial and other quarters as to the necessity for help for agriculture go to prove that agriculture keeps the whole State going. Why does not our Government make an issue of national currency to meet requirements of the farmers and enable them to increase production, and reduce unemployment, and find a market at home for more of our produce?

1 - The same letter was published by the Farmers’ Gazette, 24.02.1940, the Kerryman, 02.03.1940, the Kerry News, 26.02.1940 and the Standard, 01.03.1940.

The Farmers’ Children

Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow, writes: A letter appeared in the Irish Independent under the nom-de-plume “An Average Farmer.” Is he ashamed to put his name and address to it, or is it written by a farmer at all? He advocates the advantages of Summer Time for the city folk and for the farmer. His chief reason for advocating it for the latter is that his children (whom he states have two miles of a mountain road to go to school) “are home in good time in the evening to give him much needed help with turf, hay, oats, and other jobs. They have really a half day in the evening.” Oh! I cry shame, shame on such a man who expects to run his farm on the slave labour of his children. Is any other industry run on the unpaid labour of the proprietor’s wife and children? No. Trade unions don’t allow that sort of tyranny. No wonder the flight from the land continues.

Summer Time and “Slave” Children

Sir. A letter appeared in a contemporary – the “Irish Independent” – one day last week under the nom-de-plume “An Average Farmer.” Is he shamed to put his name and address to it, or is it written by a farmer at all?

He advocates the advantages of Summer Time for the city folks and for the farmer. His chief reason for advocating it for the latter is that his children (whom he states have two miles of a mountain road to go to school) “are home in good time in the evening to give him much needed help with turf, hay, oats and other jobs.” “They have really a half-day in the evening.”

I cry shame on such a man, who expects to run his farm on the slave labour of his children.

Is any other industry run on the unpaid labour of the proprietor’s wife and children? No; trade unions don’t allow that sort of tyranny.

No wonder the flight from the land continues, when at an early age the children are relied on for their labour, while they see the children of the agricultural labourer, council worker and shopkeeper, etc., go home from school to have a long play-hour before doing their little bit of study for the following day. The farmer’s child goes home and, after a scant meal, goes out to work till dark, and is too tired then for his or her brain to give the necessary attention to the lessons. In this way the child is deprived on the double, for its education is neglected.

By all means give the children an interest in the working of the farm. Teach them at an early age to milk cows, care horses, feed calves and weed turnips, etc. – but don’t dishearten them with overwork.

In conclusion, I say if the city people want to get up an hour earlier there is nothing to prevent them. It does not interfere with their industry, as it is not depending on nature. Even our Government can’t compel the dew to leave the hay or corn just to suit their will.

Dear Sir. Will you kindly send me particulars regarding the giving of evidence before your Commission, so that I can place it before my Committee on the 11th instant. Yours faithfully,

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Irish Farmer’s Federation 1

A meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmer’s Federation was held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin, on the 11th April. Mr. Richard Hipwell, President, presided. It was decided that our representatives on the Consultative Agricultural Council be instructed to press for the abolition of the restrictions on the sale of eggs, as the new regulations are hampering production.

It was also decided to give evidence before the Summer Time Commission.

Delegates were appointed to attend a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Irish Manufacturers, Ltd., the deputation to be as follows Messrs William E. Clune, George Wardell, Edward Dunne. John Murphy and John Rooney.

Messrs. John J. McArdle, John Rooney and George Wardell reported on the several meetings with representatives of Clann na Talmhan and Kerry Farmers’ Association with the object of uniting all Farmers’ Associations. The meeting decided that each Association should keep its own name and set up a Co-ordinating Committee of the United Farmers’ Organisations.

A vote of sympathy was passed with Mr. John Murphy, Dundalk, on the death of his brother-in-law. Attention was drawn to the unsuitable hours at which items of interest to farmers are broadcast.

1 - The same letter was published by the Westmeath Examiner, 27.04.1940.

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, of Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, appeared before the Council and asked permission to be heard. She read the following letter: Dear Mr. Healy. I enclose you £5 off my Rates which make up the £15 I promised to pay in May, which promise I gave to your Finance Committee at the interview they granted me last October. Now I will ask you to please bring the following matter before your Finance Committee or the County Council, or both Bodies; it is that I have given your members my word that all the land I can set for six or eleven months I am giving the rents off Rates and Annuities. In order to be able to set land it is necessary to guarantee the tenants that their stock will be safe from seizure, and I understood from the interview I had with your Finance Committee last October that they were granting me that security for the tenants.

Now within the past three weeks I have been endeavouring to set land for eleven months and can set 6 acres for £18 and another field almost 6 acres for £17, both for eleven months, but one of the tenants was stopped on the road by the Rate Collector and questioned as to where he had land taken, what he was giving for it, and how much he had, and then when he told the Collector that he was taking my land the Collector told him he was going to seize.

This leaves me in the position that these tenants will not now take the land, and no one else will either. This is intimidation by the Rate Collector which makes it impossible for me to set my land and thereby get in some money to pay off rates.

I would be glad of the opportunity to explain my case to the Rates Inspector or whoever is the head authority when next he is in the district. I would also like to remind your Members that when I was granted the interview with the Finance Committee I was not in the position to know that the compulsory tillage would be enforced or that wages was to be compulsorily increased.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett.

Proposed by Councillor J. Dunne; Seconded by Councillor Wallace. Hammond;

Resolved: That having heard Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, of Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, who has informed this Council that she has opportunities of setting her lands provided this County Council guarantees that the stock of the persons taking her land will not be seized by any person for Poor Rates, we hereby give to Miss Bobbett the guarantee that she seeks to-day, and we direct that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Poor Rate Collector, W. C. Byrne, with whom Miss Bobbett shall conduct Rate Matters in accordance with this Resolution. Passed.

Our Readers’ Views. On Topics of the Day

Empress and Maynooth. To the Editor “Irish Independent.” Sir. I have followed the letters in recent issues regarding the incident of the Empress of Austria’s first visit to Maynooth, and to anyone who knows anything about hunting the errors are palpable.

My father, the late William Bobbett of Clonsilla, was a constant follower of the Ward Union Hounds during the period when the Empress was hunting in Ireland, and he often told me of her wonderful horsemanship and how she jumped the wall into Maynooth College grounds after the stag. Everyone knows it is a stag the Ward Union Hounds hunt.

The Empress was admired by all, and everyone, even the humblest, sought to do her a favour. There was an old man who followed the Ward Hunt in the capacity of a “racker.” He had the opportunity one day at a meet to render a small service to the Empress, and when her Equerry offered him a tip he refused it, but asked would her Royal Highness shake hands with him. The Equerry conveyed his request to the Empress, who graciously granted it.

From that day the old man always used his left hand to shake hands, and one day a friend asked him what was wrong with his right hand, and he just replied, “Nothing. I keep that for Royalty.”

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Note: Perhaps some of your readers do not know that rackers are men who used to follow the hunts on foot take short cuts across fields, and if any rider fell, or a horse got away, they would assist to catch the horse or take it out of the ditch. At times it necessitated the acquiring of ropes to pull a horse out of a ditch. These rackers were rewarded by a good tip.

Wireworms

The recent showery weather has been a blessing to the farmers, for in many districts the havoc wrought by the wireworms has been very extensive. In my parish alone there must be some hundreds of acres of grain crops destroyed, and unfortunately only a few farmers were able to re-sow the ground. I wonder if the wireworm had been as active in other districts.

For several years past I have always dressed my seed wheat and seed oats with Agrosan Seed Dressing, and then put tar on it before sowing. Sometimes I add a little paraffin oil to the tar and heat it before spreading over the seed. Of course this necessitates extra time and labour, but I consider it well worth the trouble, as this year in sowing one field of oats I ran short of dressed seed and put in half a barrel of the same oats which had not been dressed with either Agrosan or tar. The result is that where this half barrel was sown I have practically no crop. I am wondering could any of my readers tell me if it is the tar that protected the oats from the wireworm, or would it be the seed dressing that strengthened the plants to resist the attack of the wireworm? The rest of the crop looks very healthy. My reason for using the tar is to keep the crows away.

Dear Sir. I enclose you six copies of the memorandum of evidence for the Summer Time Committee, and I was instructed to state that two of our members are appointed to give oral evidence when called upon by the Committee.

National Defence 1

Dear Sir. All eyes are at present turned on National Defence from the military point of view, but it is well to remind the public that Economic Defence is just as important. The first people and, indeed, the only people to be conscripted for Economic Defence have been the farmers. Compulsory tillage was declared by the Government, even though the Irish Farmers’ Federation, last September, offered the Government their fullest co-operation in increasing the Nation’s food supply, and pointed out that all we wanted was an inducement to till, but that the farmers needed immediate relief, in order to increase production, and the chief points of relief asked were a moratorium on Land Annuities and Rates.

Instead of relief, the farmer has been more harassed by the Flying Squad for arrears of Annuities and by the Rate Collectors. The wages of agricultural labour has been increased, the prices for all the items needed for production have been nearly doubled.

The Minister for Agriculture has stated recently in Cork that he cannot obtain a better price on the British marked for our butter or bacon, and he admits the present price is uneconomic, yet we must pay a huge increase for our coal, etc.

I say that never was the time more opportune for an issue of National Currency to meet the present situation. The export of our agricultural produce is the only means of bringing money into the country, yet we are compelled to export them at an uneconomic price. We have now a huge number of unemployed, who will probably be put to work, and we have a larger army to keep up, therefore these people will be purchasers of our goods on the home market. If the farmers are given relief from over-taxation they can and will produce sufficient for both home and export markets, but they cannot continue to produce at a loss. I think it is a most opportune time to adopt the No. 3 Minority Report of the Banking Commission.

1 - The same letter was published in the Wicklow People, 15.06.1940 and the Kings County/Offaly Chronicle, 04.07.1940.

National Defence 1

The item in our National Defence that will count most is our food supply. This falls to the lot of the farmers of the country and they have responded a hundred per cent to the call for increased tillage and production, and indeed without any guarantee of prices that will meet the cost of production.

As a farmer I resent the statements made by Mr. William Davin, TD, at a recruiting meeting in Clara, as reported in the Press, viz.: “The response from rural areas was not all that it should be. Farmers and farmers’ sons were in the forefront of every fight for the nation’s welfare, and it was not right that they should hang back now.” I would like to remind Mr. Davin and the public generally that were it not for the sacrifices borne by the farmers and their wives and families by fighting the five years of the Economic War, our country would not have the neutrality it holds so far to-day. No other section of the community contributed their share in fighting the Economic War, rather did they take the chance to enrich themselves.

The farmer loves his native land more than any other citizen and he will not be found wanting when necessary, but at the present moment when they are endeavouring to secure the nation’s food supply, instead of receiving some assistance they are being harassed by visits from the sheriff’s officers accompanied by members of the Garda, who will seize their remaining few stock if the farmer cannot beg or borrow the money to appease their demands. I know of one case where the farmer was visited by the sheriff’s officer in the afternoon and that night his two sons, being members of the Local Security Force, were called out to patrol the roads.

1 - The same text was published in the Westmeath Independent, 27.09.1940 and, partially, in the Irish Independent, 25.07.1940.

Sir. The item in our national defence that will count most is our food supply. This falls to the lot of the farmers of the country, and they have responded a hundred per cent to the call for increased tillage and production, and, indeed, without any guarantee of prices that will meet the cost of production. As a farmer, I resent the statement made by Mr. William Davin, TD, at a recruiting meeting in Clara, as reported in the press – viz., “The response from rural areas was not all that it should be. Farmers and farmers’ sons were in the forefront of every fight for the nation’s welfare, and it was not right that they should hang back now.”

The farmer loves his native land more than any other citizen, and he will not be found wanting: but at the moment, when they are endeavouring to secure the nation’s food supply, instead of receiving more assistance, they are being harassed by visits from sheriff’s officers.

Commission on vocational organisation, Thursday, 24th October, 1940, 12 (noon)

Evidence of: The Irish Farmers’ Federation. Witnesses: Mr. John J. O’Kennedy (past president), Mr. John J. McArdle, Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett (secretary).

16071. Chairman: I thank you for your memorandum and for coming to give evidence. Your Federation was established in 1937 after consultation with farmers’ organisations. Is it a federation of associations or does it take in individual farmers as members? Miss Bobbett: Both.

16072. Chairman: Your membership in individual members is 14’500? Yes.

16073. How many associations have you in your Federation? There are three, the County Dublin Farmers’ Association, The Association of Milk Producers (Dublin Sales Area) and the Cavan Farmers’ Trade Union.

16074. Have you got the beet growers? No, we tried on several occasions to get them to co-operate but they would not do so.

16075. Or the Irish Live Stock Association? No; we have not approached them.

16076. You have not got beet growers or grain growers? No; we asked them on several occasions to come into consultation and associate with us but they have refused to meet us or to co-operate with us.

16077. What about the livestock people? They are included in our membership.

16078. Is their Association in your Federation? We have never asked their Association to join us.

16079. Mr. Crampton: Is it possible that some of the individual members of other organisations are members of your Federation? Yes, we have a tremendous amount of the beet growers, but as an association the beet growers did not wish to co-operate with us. From the correspondence I have, it can be seen that we have tried over and over again in the friendliest manner, yet they have not co-operated with us.

16080. Chairman. Exactly what type of farmer do you cater for? We have every branch of agriculture and all types of farmers, and we are working in twenty counties. There are small and big farmers, embracing all lines of agriculture.

16081. Before 1937 was there any farmers’ federation? In 1931, 1932 and 1933, and about that time there was a farmers’ organisation called the United Farmers’ Protection Association. They were dealing chiefly with the matter of agricultural frozen loans in the banks and they endeavoured to have a small committee set up to deal with those cases. They gave evidence before the Banking Commission. After that the members of the United Farmers’ Protection Association said they would now enlarge their organisation and try to have a central council for agriculture. It was the members of the UFPA who first started the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Mr. Ernest Browne of Clare was one of the chief founders of it and we got in touch with all the different organisations in twelve counties and we invited them up to several conferences. We found it was the wish of those farmers that we should have a central council and therefore we organised the Irish Farmers’ Federation on trade union lines and got the different organisations to come in and have representation on it. We knew that for them to form their own council would be the best way of uniting the Irish agricultural community. The IFF did not claim any greater dignity than any other association but wished to be the means of grouping together all the other farmers’ associations in the country so that they could have the Federation as their voice. We have succeeded in raising an interest in this, in twenty counties.

16082. Mr. Crampton: Is there any definition of a farmer member? The definition is: “Anyone owning or using land in Ireland”. Any agricultural labourer who conforms to the rules can be a member.

16083. Mr. Crampton: You have no written definition? “Anyone owning or using land in Ireland”.

16084. Mr. Lowe: In fact, how many agricultural labourers are members? In the Western counties we have quite a number.

16085. Mr. Duffy: What contribution do the members pay? The contribution to the National Executive is based on a rate of not less than one shilling per member per annum, but the counties have their own rules and can arrange their own county subscriptions.

16086. Mr. Larkin: Have you not got a set of rules registered? We have.

16087. Mr. Larkin: Can we not get a supply of them? Yes, I have not got them here but can send them to your Secretary.

16088. Chairman. Does your Federation deal directly with members or merely with the local associations? Mostly with the local associations.

16089. It is, then, a Federation of Associations? Yes.

16090. Have you an office in Dublin? No; we have an office in Wicklow.

16091. How is the Governing Body constituted? It is elected by the different counties who send their representatives to the National Executive.

16092. What happens in the case of a county which has not got a farmers’ association? The counties we are dealing with have a branch of one association or another.

16093. Have you any association with Clann na Talmhan? We have an agreement with them but they are not associated with us. We have met them on several occasions and also the Kerry Farmers’ Association and the Roscommon Farmers’ Association and they are willing to co-operate in our efforts for the benefit of agriculture, but they are not affiliated to us.

16094. Why do they not affiliate with you? One of the reasons why Clann na Talmhan did not do so was that they seek Parliamentary representation and we do not. We are not a political body

16095. Is it hard to organise farmers? It is very difficult.

16096. Would you explain to us the constitution of your governing body? It consists of two representatives from each county on the National Executive.

16097. That would be a very large body: it means you would have 52 members on your executive? Each county likes to have as much say as the next. We have about 48 members. The Executive generally meets monthly. Mr. O’Kennedy: A small committee would be appointed from the Central Executive in the case of certain matters.

16098. Chairman: Have you such a committee? Mr. O’Kennedy: Yes, when the necessity arises. The personnel is not elected for a definite period but in the event of any difficult question arising that requires very mature consideration, as far as possible, the numbers would be cut down to the minimum; taking into account due representation for the various interests.

16099. You have rules? Yes.

16100. For violation of those rules you would expel, fine or suspend a member? Yes.

16101. How can you do that when you have not any direct control? Miss Bobbett: According to the rules, we are entitled to bring them before the National Executive and under the trade union Acts they can be expelled.

16102. Chairman: Supposing you brought up a member of the County Cavan Farmers’ Association and expelled him, he would still continue to be a member of that Association? Mr. O’Kennedy: I suggest, my Lord, that that question would not arise. Naturally, the Executive is the supreme authority for the Federation, but it would not like to usurp the functions of the local associations. If the County Cavan Farmers’ Association took particular action against a member and recommended it to the National Executive -

16103. Chairman: It would have no need to recommend; the County Cavan Farmers’ Association to expel him and then he ceases to be a member of yours? Quite so, but as the Executive of the Federation, we would not take action against an individual of one of the Associations which federate with us.

16104. Would you take action against an association itself? Possibly, and very probably, yes; definitely yes, I would say.

16105. It is because of the trade union Acts that you can expel a member? You are a trade union? Miss Bobbett: Yes.

16106. Why did you adopt that? People do not generally regard you in the light of a trade union? They decided at that time that it was the best way to get farmers to organise as it would be non-political.

16107. Because you think that a trade union is the safest thing there is in this country at present? By being registered we are governed by an Act of Parliament and it gave us certain facilities. Mr. Duffy: And because they are democratic bodies.

16108. Chairman: Could you not come in as a friendly society? Mr. Larkin: It would be as a friendly society that they are registered.

16109. Chairman: It is of interest to us to see that the Trade Union Acts supply the most suitable form of organisation for people who wish to be non-political. Your idea was really to be non-political? Miss Bobbett: Yes.

16110. Mr. Lowe: Would it be fair to say that it was because of the privileges you enjoy under the Trade Union Acts that you came in in that way? Yes.

16111. Chairman: According to the rules, you are not registered under the Friendly Society Acts, but under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1935? Was there a trade union Act in 1935? Mr. Duffy: There was a one-clause Act which extended the right of a trade union to hold property. Mr. Larkin: The Society is a Friendly Society. It is the same Act. Previous to 1935 such bodies could not hold more than half an acre of land.

16112. Chairman: Would you explain to the Commission your activities and your needs and then your method of action? Miss Bobbett: The first important thing was to get the farmers to organise and to realise the uneconomic state of their industry at the present time. They would have to organise and get down to a basis of securing production costs for their produce. We found that we would have to get a central body and some unity amongst the counties, as one county would be satisfied with certain lines and the next county would not. Therefore, we needed unity. We organised by holding meetings and, sometimes, demonstrations and we were able to get certain facilities for members through being an organisation. We have achieved some benefits. We have been able to make settlements over arrears of annuities and have saved people from being evicted and their holdings being taken over. Through representation through county councils in some of the counties, we have been able to keep down excessive expenditure on rates where it was beyond the possibilities of the tax-payers to meet those expenses. Also, we have been able through negotiation to stay proceedings of the banks here who were pressing farmers very hard in regard to frozen loans. At the present moment we are in communication with the Irish Banks Standing Committee and we are drafting a scheme which will meet this question of frozen loans.

16113. Chairman. Have you got into touch with the Agricultural Credit Corporation? Not yet, because we have found that they are not of very much benefit to the farmers. We find that the farmer who wants money from the Agricultural Credit Corporation would nearly need to be in a position not to want to borrow money before he could get it. The first question that body asks is whether the farmer has paid annuities and rates and if that has not been done up to a certain date he need not bother to look for any relief from them.

16114. Would you develop that? If one has not got the annuities paid up to a certain date or if one is in arrears with rates, there is no use in trying to look for relief from the Agricultural Credit Corporation.

16115. Mr. Duffy: How would they treat you if you had a big overdraft in the bank? I do not think that they would treat us at all at present, nor for many years past. Mr. McArdle: A man would need to be a solicitor to answer the questions they ask and in many cases it would be easier to obtain the money from the bank.

16116. Chairman: Is that definitely the feeling of your Federation? Mr. McArdle: It is the feeling all over the country. Personally I had a case with them and changed from the Corporation to the bank, as the bank was easier to deal with.

16117. Chairman: In its rate? In its conditions. One would need at least two solvent securities for the Agricultural Credit Corporation and one would pay back about six per cent interest, whereas the bank would let one off more easily than that.

16118. Mr. Duffy: But the bank will not give you a long term loan? If I am a customer in the bank and deal honestly with them, the bank manager will give me a good deal, but the Agricultural Credit Corporation treats me as a complete stranger. Chairman: The bank keeps renewing the loan.

16119. Mr. Larkin: The bank could call in the money when they please, but the ACC gives you a real life terms of years? They give us a real life of misery.

16120. That is what we want to know from you. Have you got any documents in your possession or could you supply the Commission with evidence as to that? Miss Bobbett: I have not the documents here but could supply evidence. Mr. O’Kennedy: The best way in which I could convey to you the view of the general farmer in regard to the ACC is by saying that the ACC insists that he make a good general confession, and the average farmer resents making that in any but the one particular place.

16121. Professor O’Rahilly: Is it not the real trouble that a lot of the farmers are so burdened with debts from the time of the land ramp that no one can help them? The banks and the corporation find that that is so: the people who need help are so burdened that they can do nothing for them? Mr. McArdle: That is correct.

16122. Chairman: Does your Federation take any part in local representation, as regards representation on the local county councils? No, we have not so far.

16123. Mr. Larkin: Do you not pronounce upon the qualifications of a candidate? Did you not come out in favour of Mr. Patrick Cogan? Not as a Federation. The County Wicklow farmers formed a committee amongst themselves and put forward Mr. Cogan but did not implicate the Federation.

16124. Mr. Larkin: In no place have you taken part in political action? No.

16125. Chairman: Does not the farming community elect the county council? Miss Bobbett: They do.

16126. Therefore, it is up to the farmers to reduce the rates? But there have not been county council elections, I think, since the Farmers’ Federation was formed. Mr. McArdle: At the present time the county councils have no power because, if they want to cut down the rates to a certain standard they get an order from the Local Government Department saying that they must do such and such a thing. That has happened in a number of councils when they have had to increase the rate in spite of themselves.

16127. Chairman: Then, the farmers are not satisfied with the present system of local administration? Mr. McArdle: The Department of Local Government now just orders. If the county council does not do what the Department orders they have to walk out and let in a commissioner.

16128. Mr. Duffy: When you speak of reducing rates, that must be in relation to something: in other words, you must have formed an opinion that there are expenses incurred by the county council which are not justified. Is that your view? Yes, definitely.

16129. What kind of expenditure incurred by county councils do you take exception to? That would vary in the different counties.

16130. What county do you come from? Laoighis. And where would you say the wasteful expenditure is there? In a good many places – in the first place, on the roads. Anyone travelling on the roads knows that. Personally, I travel nearly every day on them and I would say that we have almost the worst roads in Ireland, except the No. 1 roads, which are good. Practically nothing is ever done with the other roads.

16131. Mr. Duffy: What expenditure are you objecting to? A certain amount of money is spent on road-work, and the work is not done.

16132. A big proportion of that money is recouped from the Road Fund? About 40 per cent of it in regard to No. 1 roads and the length of such roads is very small in proportion to the number of other roads.

16133. Is it your case that the county council is spending money on the roads without getting a proper return? Yes, as the roads are not being done and the money is being spent. We have a county surveyor and two or three assistants all drawing big salaries and no work being done.

16134. Mr. Wilson: The by-roads are not being attended to? That is so.

16135. Mr. Duffy: There is a grant for relief work, too? The money is being spent and the county surveyor and his assistant are supposed to go round and see the state of the roads and see that the work is done. That is not done.

16136. Mr. Larkin: Have you not got a Commissioner who would have power to suspend such an official? Yes.

16137. Mr. Duffy: The Commissioner is inefficient, in that case? There is no complaint definitely against the Commissioner, who is trying to do his best; but there is also a machine there and he cannot go against the machine.

16138. He has the county council? Definitely he has, but if we have a machine running, the Commissioner cannot change it. Mr. Duffy: But that is what he is there for. Mr. Larkin: Why was he put in?

16139. Chairman: Because the county council was supposed to have gone wrong and not to have done their work. There was dissatisfaction with certain other persons who were the County Council and therefore the Government in its wisdom or otherwise put in a commissioner. You say now that this man is failing to carry out his obvious duty? Mr. McArdle: You can put it that way if you like, but what I am saying is that the roads are not being attended to and the money is being spent.

16140. You object to that situation? The roads are worse than an ordinary cart road on a farm. We have public roads in that state and still money is being spent on the roads and a person using a car must pay tax and insurance.

16141. Mr. Duffy: What is the amount levied for the upkeep of the roads in your county? I do not know.

16142. I am anxious to know exactly the point where exception is taken to the expenditure by the county council? You could put it in general in this way, that the whole system of government, local and general, necessitates such a number of officials that it is too much out of proportion to the capacity of the rate-paying community to keep it there.

16143. Rev. Dr. Irwin: And to the service rendered? Mr. McArdle: It is a principle in theology that you should not be taxed beyond your capacity to pay.

16144. Chairman: Whatever about theology, I will admit that it is good commonsense in any case? Mr. O’Kennedy: Before you depart from that question, I would like to give a very brief answer. I think that the question was asked, from what do we draw our comparisons?

16145. Mr. Duffy: Not quite. The case has been made by Miss Bobbett that your organisation did intervene in certain cases and succeeded in having reductions made in rates and, therefore, I assume that you are taking exception to the amount of rates levied. I was anxious to know to what services you are opposed? I will try to answer that in this way – we are not opposed to any services that are reasonable and for which we could afford to pay but I would like to draw the attention of everybody to the fact that the last normal year is the year on which most comparisons are based, that is, the year 1913/14. I put it to everybody here present that at that time farming was not a very attractive vocation and, comparing that time with the present time in regard to local services, the cost of local services has gone up on an average, in most counties, by from 250 to 300 per cent. The sources of revenue of the farmer are not more, or very little more prolific to-day than they were in 1914. That is the net position as far as we are concerned.

16146. Mr. Larkin: Your case is that the cost of local services has gone up since 1914 by 250 per cent? The expenses of local services have gone up from 250 to 300 per cent, on the average.

16147. But your produce has not increased in value from the 1913/1914 standard? Certainly not in that proportion. Mr. Wilson: The index figure is 144.

16148. Mr. Larkin: I know what the index figure is. I am only asking the witness, who is an expert, and a member of the Federation of Farmers, to give us the farmers’ position? Mr. O’Kennedy: I will try to answer that. I put it to you, that the sources of revenue of the agricultural community are butter, beef, mutton, bacon, oats, barley.

16149. Mr. Wilson: Milk? I use the word “butter” rather than milk.

16150. Chairman: A lot of the farmers are selling milk? A very small proportion. I want to have this definitely conveyed here too – that there is very little use in considering a particular item that does not represent one per cent of the activities of the farming community, let it be beet or tobacco. There is very little use in giving consideration to one per cent and leaving the other 99 per cent as they were. Let us take the different items. In regard to butter, the position of the farmer who supplies milk to make butter is no better than it was in 1914.

16151. Mr. Larkin: He is getting a guaranteed price, is he not, at least in the counties of Meath, Wicklow and Dublin? That is for milk for the milk trade. I am referring to the activity of the butter producer from Cork to Donegal.

16152. Chairman: Are you dealing now with the creameries and the co-operative societies? Yes, I am dealing with butter production which is carried on in every farm in Ireland.

16153. Chairman: The farmers supply the milk for the butter but the butter production is carried on in the creamery? Mr. Duffy: It is carried on on the farms too. Mr. O’Kennedy: There is no use in dealing with milk merely as a matter concerning one per cent of the community, such as the milk that is supplied to the city. All other milk is either butter produced in the home or sent to a creamery to be converted into butter.

16154. Chairman: Do you mean to say that the creameries only give the same price for milk as in 1914? Yes, my lord, and the funny thing is that they are giving to-day, net to the producer, just a little less than they gave him this day twelve months, before the war started. The net returns to the producer supplying milk to the creameries are slightly less than they were before the war broke out.

16155. Mr. Larkin: What county do you speak for? For the creamery producing areas, all of them.

16156. Mr. Larkin: Give us the exact prices. This is very useful? Chairman: You could send that in, if you wish. Mr. O’Kennedy: I cannot exactly give you the price net per gallon because it varies in very small degrees from, shall I say, five pence to sixpence, 5,2d, 5,25d to 6d, but I will give you this part of it – the export price for butter was 126s 0d per cwt. before the present war started. The export price of butter is still 126s 0d. The manufacturing costs of the butter in the creameries have considerably increased with the result that certain bounties have been added by the home Government to the exported butter. They have been slightly increased but the increase is not sufficient to cover the increased cost of manufacturing, with the result that the net return to the producer of milk are slightly less than they were immediately before the present war.

16157. Mr. Duffy: You made a comparison a moment ago with 1914? Yes.

16158. There is a very substantial increase over the 1913/1914 price? For butter.

16159. You are concerned, of course, with the price of milk if you send to a creamery? It is the price of butter that governs the price of milk.

16160. Not entirely; if there is a subsidy, no. But, would you not say that in 1913/1914 the farmer got roughly 3d a gallon for milk? I would not. I would say he got 4½d plus one penny a gallon for separated milk, that was 5½ d. That was in the Summer period.

16161. In 1914? In 1914 and at the same time I would think that there was not a difference of ½d a gallon as against to-day.

16162. Mr. Larkin: His lordship suggested that if you have any figures in this matter you might send them in to the Secretary? Mr. O’Kennedy: Take mutton. The price of sheep is not greater or very little greater to-day than it was in 1914. In 1914 I got 36s 0d for lambs and to-day I sold similar lambs at 34s 0d. As regards beef, I would imagine that the increase would be not more than about 20 per cent. As regards oats, selling at 1s 0d a stone they would be somewhat similar to the price in 1914. As regards bacon, the price has increased by about 20 per cent, but bacon, generally speaking, is not altogether produced on home-grown produce and the price of the raw material which is purchased from the millers - Mr. Larkin: Which is imported. Mr. O’Kennedy: - has very considerably increased. I would imagine that what cost 9s 0d in 1914 would cost 14s 0d today or thereabouts. That would represent an increase of about 50 per cent. The price of bacon varies. Figures go up and down very much and it is very difficult to get an exact figure but I would imagine that the increase in the price of bacon would certainly not be more than 20 to 30 per cent. Barley and wheat have considerably increased in price but the proportion of market available for barley at that price is very limited and as a national proposition, if all farmers engaged in it, would be useless. The price for wheat has certainly considerably increased but the difficulties are that on an average year the returns on the average land would be very poor and, therefore, for that particular reason it is not a line of activity that the farming community are very anxious to pursue. For instance, this year we have had a marvellous season from the point of view of growing and harvesting wheat but when was it that we had one nearly as good? Certainly, it was a successful proposition this year but for the past two or three years, for the average farmer, it was definitely unsuccessful.

16163. Mr. Odlum: In what way? Do you mean the quality of the grain or the amount produced per acre? The amount produced.

16164. Having a good season or bad season does not make any difference to the farmer. He is in a position to get rid of his wheat, whatever the quality? It does make a tremendous difference.

16165. In wheat produced? As regards the quality; I take it that if a farmer produced a good sample of wheat, say, bushelling 63, if he had only five barrels bushelling 63 it would be much better than 10 barrels bushelling 48-50. In some districts wheat-growing certainly is a desirable asset but I might also add that those particular areas in which it is a desirable asset are the very areas that are able to weather the worst conditions in agriculture at any time.

16166. Mr. Odlum: The weather conditions should not make such a very large difference to the yield per acre. It makes a very large difference to the quality of the grain but you have got a guaranteed market for your wheat irrespective of the quality of grain? Quite so. I would agree with that up to a point, but if you have not good weather conditions, in the average areas in Ireland the wheat will not ripen sufficiently and, as a result, a farmer will not have half the barrels to the acre. Mr. Wilson: And furthermore, the weather has a great deal to do with the getting in of the crop and last year was an exceptionally hard year. Mr. Odlum: Mr. O’Kennedy was just saying that it was a very good year. Mr. Wilson: The Winter was a very hard one. Mr. Odlum: You mean the previous Winter. Mr. Wilson: The previous Winter.

16167. Chairman: The point you are making is to show that while rates have gone up by 250 per cent, farmers’ receipts have not gone up, on the whole, by more than 20 per cent? That is my point.

16168. Chairman: Of course, some farmers might do well on beet? Quite so.

16169. But, on the whole, that is the position. I would like to ask a few questions about your relation to other farmers’ organisations. You claim to be the representative farmers’ body that should speak for farmers over the whole country? Yes, my lord.

16170. Is that claim recognised? I do not know that it is recognised.

16171. Have you any relation with the co-operative societies, the Royal Dublin Society or Muintir na Tíre? No, my lord, but we did seek the co-operation of those associations to which you refer for the purpose of formulating a programme for the farmers of Ireland but the others did not come in to co-operate. At no time, as far as I am aware, were the Irish Farmers’ Federation anxious to usurp all authority for the farmers in Ireland. What they were really anxious to do was to federate the activities of all farmers and, that being so, they did call together representatives of any and every type of the farming community with which they could make contact. If we do not represent the farming community then who does? We take, for instance, the Beet Growers’ Association. It just caters for one particular branch of the farming community.

16172. Mr. Larkin: How many would apply themselves to the production of beet? I do not know. Mr. Larkin: Take the figures of the organisation that produces the sugar. They gave 14’800 as the number who have guaranteed to produce sugar. Chairman: It is much more. The Beet Growers’ Association membership is much higher than that. Mr. Odlum: Over 30,000. Mr. Duffy: May I put this to you – that it would be wrong to say that they are concerned only with one aspect of production, the Beet Growers Association in fact deals on behalf of barley growers and wheat growers with millers and Guinnesses and other people who are their customers? Agreed, but in the meantime, I would like to deal with one aspect of the question; 30,000 has been suggested, our figures are 14,800, but what percentage of the land of the particular farmers in question is devoted to the activity which causes them to be members of that Association?

16173. Chairman: The other question could be put to you – what percentage of the land is represented by the number in your Association? I am afraid it would be very difficult, if you start to divide that up, to apportion it? I do not propose to, my lord, but I want to put this to you that that membership of that association which is certainly a very desirable and very efficient association - Mr. Larkin: It is compulsory. Mr. O’Kennedy: That is the point. And for what percentage of their activities is it compulsory? For a very small percentage of the whole.

16174. Mr. Duffy: Does not the fact stand out, that there are approximately half a million people, between farmers and farm workers, engaged in producing food and agricultural pro-half million? That is so.

16175. Chairman: We notice that you censured the Beet Growers Association for not getting an adequate price for their beet? Where did you notice that, my lord? Chairman: From press cuttings. Miss Bobbett: Members of the Beet Growers Association, who are members of the Farmers Federation, brought up at one of our meetings that they were not getting a sufficient price for their beet. Mr. O’Kennedy: May I ask you when that censuring took place? Chairman: That will be supplied to you. The Fact is not denied.

16176. Reverend Father Hayes: I would like to refer to the fact that nobody has mentioned the agricultural labourer. At least, not since I came into the room. Chairman: They claim to have agricultural labourers as their members. How many of the 14,000 would be agricultural labourers? Mr. O’Kennedy: I would imagine about 1,000 and I put it to you in this way that particularly any of the permanent men who have been on the land and who are just as much portion of the farm as the farmers themselves, would be members. Reverend Father Hayes: In a number of the productive groups that you have mentioned the labourer finds no place at all, as far as I know, and he is certainly as important a man as the farmer. I see no hope whatsoever for rural life of any kind unless the two go together.

16177. Mr. Duffy: May I ask this question, whether your organisation was consulted in relation to the appointment of members of the Agricultural Wages Board? Miss Bobbett: No. We sent forward a list of names asking for representation on the Agricultural Wages Board and they would not grant it to us. We were never granted representation.

16178. Was any person whose names you submitted in fact appointed? No.

16179. Amongst the names of those submitted for appointment to the Agricultural Wages Board did you include farm labourers? I cannot just remember. Yes, there were.

16180. You submitted names of farmers and of farm labourers? Yes.

16181. Chairman: On this question of your relation to the community – did your body promote a strike? Mr. O’Kennedy: Yes, my lord.

16182. And that was a refusal to produce food for the community? No, my lord.

16183. What was the point? It was a withholding for a short time. Withholding of food from the community? For a short time.

16184. Until the community yielded to your demands? Not exactly, my lord, but to focus public attention on the position of farming, That position is well-known and there are many statistics to prove it. I think that everybody here will probably be aware of the fact that it is very difficult “to beat the book.” In any book you take up to read about the farming community you will find whether the farming community are holding their own to-day, that the people are fleeing from it to other vocations. It is very nice to take a beautiful view of all this if one is not directly concerned. It is like Nero fiddling while Rome was burning. But, to bring this matter quickly before the public, we decided that it was necessary to take drastic action to focus public attention on it and that was the reason for the strike. Perhaps it might be just as well to clear the air here. It was generally referred to as a milk strike. It was not a milk strike but it suited to have it turned into a milk strike, into a local milk strike, for the purpose of alienating the sympathy of the farming community throughout the country from it.

16185. Mr. Duffy: It suited whom to do that? It suited, I would imagine, the authorities that took the necessary steps to suppress the notice calling attention to that strike and the aims and objects of that strike.

16186. Chairman: Did your federation approve of the destruction of food as part of the conduct of that strike? I do not know, my lord. I would not imagine that our Association would approve of the destruction of food.

16187. But the milk going to Dublin was split? But, my lord, in any kind of reforms that have gone on anywhere throughout the country certain things have happened which the promoters were not in a position to control.

16188. Chairman: Or repudiate? As regards the repudiation, my lord, when one is placed in a particular position and one’s followers carry out certain action, whether good or bad, during war times, so to speak, or while the war is on, -

16189. You regard yourself as at war with the community? I am using that metaphorically.16190. But definitely you had a war mentality towards the Irish people? I would not agree there because the very people who were responsible for that war with the Irish people, as you put it, were the very first people to go into the ranks of those who were prepared to defend the rights of the Irish people. I am afraid I used the word “war” rather indiscreetly.

16191. Chairman: You made a statement that some people tried to make this out a milk strike but in your manifesto, you see, the heading is, “Irish Farmers’ Federation”; under that: “County Dublin Farmers’ Association” “Manifesto”; and at the end: “NB Our fullest support has already been pledged to the Associated Milk Producers”? Did they leave that at the bottom? It was a thing that should have been at the top. I put it to you, why did they leave it at the bottom if it was a thing that should have been put at the top? Chairman: Really, I do not know. It appears over the names of J. D. Dickie, Chairman, J. J. McGrane, Vice-Chairman, Cornelius F. McLoughlin, Director of Organisation, and T. Ignatius Arthurs, Secretary. Mr. Wilson: That is County Dublin.

16192. Chairman: But this is headed “Irish Farmers’ Federation”. Was not milk included in the strike? Mr. McArdle: Milk as well as everything else was to be withheld for the time being.

16193. Mr. Larkin: Who were the people that you were fighting against? We were principally fighting the Department of Agriculture which refused on several occasions to meet us and deal with us.

16194. Chairman: On whom did your strike impose hardship? On ourselves as well as on everybody else.

16195. Mainly on the poor, would it not be? Not necessarily.

16196. Is it not a case that if producers of food go on strike they do not hit the rich very much; they hit the poor, and, through the sufferings of the poor, they get the Government to yield? Is it not exactly similar to a policy of aerial bombardment? Not necessarily, my lord, because, as a matter of fact, during that strike I met very rich people indeed from the City here, 40 miles down the country looking for a couple of pounds of butter and eggs.

16197. I said it is not the rich who suffer? They could not get the stuff here either they had to suffer just as the poor suffered. Mr. Larkin: They could take out their motor car and go down to Portarlington for it. The people in Waterford Street could not do that.

16198. Chairman: Therefore, it is on the sufferings of the poor you are trading? Mr. McArdle: Not necessarily. Mr. O’Kennedy: Do you suggest, my lord, that it was our intention when starting out on that strike to inflict hardship on the poor?

16199. Chairman: I definitely suggest that that kind of action, of a with-holding of food, intends of its very nature to bring pressure on the Government by causing suffering to the poor and I maintain that it is a course of action which involves very serious social responsibility and if everybody took it up it would lead to anarchy of the worst kind? I should not agree, my lord, but what should happen is that we should have such social justice in this world that such action would not be necessary. But have we?

16200. The question is whether grievances of your kind justify any kind of action, whether because you have grievances with the Department you are entitled to cause hardship on the poor of Dublin? But if you have grievances and if you use any and every means at your disposal -

16201. Chairman: But are you entitled to use any and every means at your disposal? Within reason, I should have added.

16202. Chairman: And the moral law? And the moral law.

16203. Prof. O’Rahilly: At any rate, you would have preferred having your case heard by an impartial tribunal? Of course. Mr. McArdle: It was only when everything else failed that that was the last resource.

16204. Mr. Larkin: Did you ever hear of the term “boycott”? Mr. O’Kennedy: Yes.

16205. Were the men who brought that word into use justified? I would imagine so. Chairman: Who were they fighting? Mr. Larkin: The same people exactly that these men are fighting today – the owners of private property. Chairman: I wonder are the Farmers’ Federation out against the owners of private property Mr. Larkin: They might not be conscious of it. The community were in favour of the farmers getting a decent price for their labours.

16206. Reverend Father Hayes: Mr. Larkin is suggesting that you are against private property? Mr. O’Kennedy: Against certain vested interests. Mr. Larkin: I accept your correction. You do not own your land. You are in the hands of the banks. You are in the hands of other people. You are only the same as the farm labourer – allowed to exist under certain conditions.

16207. Chairman: I wonder does the Federation accept the position that they are not owners of their land and that they are against the principle of private property? Mr. McArdle: They are certainly not against the principle of private property but it is a fact that in all Departmental communications with the farming community they have been termed “holders and occupiers” – no longer owners.

16208. Mr. Duffy: At law is it not a fact that you have absolutely no right of ownership? Certainly. Chairman: I doubt that. Mr. Duffy: I suggest that no other interpretation can be placed on the present Land Acts except the simple one that the Government can turn around to-morrow and tell a farmer, if he does not do as they ask him that he can get out. Chairman: I do not think that even that is contrary to the idea of property. There is no such thing as an absolute right of private property that is not subject to the control of the State. I do not know that the Christian Churches have ever accepted that doctrine of private property. That general idea of private property is only a perversion of the idea of private property that is put up by people in order to knock down and create propaganda.

16209. Reverend Father Hayes: During that period did the other farmers of the country support that strike, Mr. O’Kennedy, or did they send milk up to Dublin? Mr. O’Kennedy: It is rather difficult to answer that question because the area was so large. Certainly some did not collaborate with the strike.

16210. I suppose you might say that about 80 per cent did not collaborate with the strike of the farmers of Ireland? Mr. McArdle: I would say that about 80 per cent did sympathise with it.

16211. Chairman: Of the people of the country Miss Bobbett: Yes.

16212. Chairman: How long did it last? Mr. McArdle: About a fortnight.

16213. Chairman: It is of interest to see what are the activities of an organisation and what they lead to? Mr. O’Kennedy: Shall I say, my lord, that it is a fact that any association, if it believes that it has justice on its side, and that organisation becomes strong, I am referring to any organisation, let it be national or international, and the just demands of that organisation are ignored, that association or organisation develops into something very bad in the long run, provided it has justice on its side.

16214. Chairman: Your point is that an account of the ignoring of your demands your own Association became depraved? Not quite, my lord.

16215. Chairman: I do not see any other meaning. You say it becomes ‘very bad’. Do you mean that you became so irritated that your members decided to take the law into their own hands? That has always happened in the history of the world and will continue to happen.

16216. Professor O’Rahilly: Do you not advocate that there should be some social method of examining your fair claims as the primary producers of this country and that you would be prepared to abide by that if you got a hearing? That is the position.

16217. Professor O’Rahilly: And you deplore the necessity for having to do such other things to draw attention to what the community should voluntarily rectify? Absolutely.

16218. Chairman: We are not living under a dictatorship. You have the press and you have the Dail? We have been refused the press, my lord.

16219. Mr. Larkin: But you do not own the press and you do not expect, if you do not own the press, to use it? Chairman: Everybody had the press. Mr. McArdle: They refused to publish everything we said. Mr. O’Kennedy: The manifesto of the Federation was refused publication. That is what I was referring to a while ago. Anything in connection with these particular activities was suppressed.

16220. Mr. Larkin: All your submissions were ignored? Mr. McArdle: They were all turned down. None of them was published. Mr. Larkin: Professor O’Rahilly suggests there should be some form of representative body where you would be heard, at least.

16221. Rev. Fr. Hayes: Would you see any danger in a farmers’ political party? Mr. O’Kennedy: His Lordship, has pointed out that there is a tendency with any kind of association that is not heard or does not get the things it wants to become depraved. Apparently that has been the history of political parties of every type both in this country and in most other countries. Professor O’Rahilly: And of the land question in Ireland.

16222. Rev. Fr. Hayes: Do you mean that any organisation becomes depraved when it enters politics?

16223. Mr. Larkin: I do not think he means depraved. Rt. Rev. Dr. Harvey: Would you use the word desperate? Mr. O’Kennedy: I have used the word desperate but his Lordship turned it into “depraved”. Chairman: You should withdraw that, I think. I did not do anything of the kind. You said it becomes “very bad”. Mr. O’Kennedy: What I meant was desperate. Mr. Larkin: Or anti-social. Mr. O’Kennedy: I apologise, my Lord.Professor O’Rahilly: The sense of injustice if allowed to rankle will drive men to extravagance and will be very hard to control, as happened in the old land war in Ireland. Chairman: I am afraid that is a very poor justification. Professor O’Rahilly: He says it will happen.

16224. Chairman: That is the justification you put forward for this producers’ strike? Mr. O’Kennedy: Yes, my lord. Evidence concluded.

Agriculture, Employment, Finance 1

It has been stated in An Dail recently that £ 1’000’000 is to be spent on developing the Clonast Bog for use by the Electricity Supply Board, so that the country will have more electricity. It is stated that the bog would last for 25 years working, and give a considerable amount of employment. It is also announced that under the new Unemployment Relief Works Bill much employment is to be provided in rural areas. We also see announced a scheme for the development of farms, viz.: Drainage, Fence Building, Repairs, etc. This scheme will only apply to holdings under £200 PLV.

We are not told where it is anticipated the money for all these schemes is to come from, and while the farmers are unable to sell their Oats, Barley, Cattle, Wool, Sheep or Pigs at remunerative prices, if indeed they can dispose of them at all, in all probability the farmers will be expected to share in providing the money for above-mentioned schemes. Now why does not our Government immediately set up a National Currency? I am sure there are plenty of wise heads who would be only too willing to assist in setting up a suitable plan whereby money would be issued to meet the employment needs of these big schemes, those employed would in turn buy more produce for home consumption than while they are drawing dole or home assistance; given a fair wage they would be spending their money in the country to the benefit of Agriculture and Industry.

Having compelled the farmers to till their land and advised them to increase production in live stock, surely it is the duty of the Government to see that the farmer has a remunerative market for his produce. It is unfair to ask or expect farmers to hold their produce; the Government should buy it at a remunerative price to the producer, and store it or export it at will.

1 - The same text was published in the Farmers’ Gazette, 09.11.1940, the Dundalk Democrat, 09.11.1940 and the Standard, 08.11.1940.

The Government’s Duty?

Sir. Having compelled the farmers to till their land and advised them to increase production in live stock, surely it is the duty of the Government to see that the farmer has a remunerative market for his produce. It is unfair to ask or expect farmers to hold their produce. The Government should buy it as a remunerative price to the producer, and store it or export it at will.

The following letter from the County Secretary, County Wicklow Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, was submitted: P. T. Healy, Esq., Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Courthouse, Wicklow.

Dear Mr. Healy. At our Annual Convention, on the 4th February, I was instructed to ask you what date will the General Meeting of the County Council be held, as we wish to send a small Deputation to the County Council that day.

I believe we have to apply at the previous meeting if we want a Deputation received, and, as I understand there is a meeting on the 17th instant, I hope you will bring this letter before them.

As the farmers at the present need all available cash procurable for the purchase of seeds, manures, and wages, in order to get in sufficient crops, we request the Council to extend by two months the period for payment of 1940/41 Rates. Owing to the dislocation caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease, it would be dreadful hardship to have farmers forced to sell their cattle now.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Proposed by Councillor Senator Christopher M. Byrne; Seconded by Councillor Patrick Doyle (Coolboy). Resolved: That having regard to the abnormal times, through which the Ratepayers of County Wicklow are passing, we hereby extend to the 30th April, 1941, the period within which Rate Collectors shall have their Poor Rate Collections closed in respect of the financial year which ends on the 31st March, 1941. Passed.

The County Council, having decided to receive the Deputation which was present at the Meeting from the County Wicklow Executive of the Farmers’ Federation, heard the views on Rates generally submitted by Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, and by Mr. William McDonald, Dunganstown, Wicklow, who were assured that the points made by them receive the serious consideration of the Council.

Credit for farmers

Dear Sir. In the Dáil on the 19th instant Mr. Patrick Cogan asked the Minister for Agriculture if he was prepared to provide for the growers of cereals credit facilities similar to those provided by the Irish Sugar Company for beet growers.

The Minister replied that the sugar beet was grown under contract for the Sugar Company, the farmer entering into a contract with the company. Therefore, the crop when sown becomes the property of the Sugar Company. Therefore, the credit advanced by the Sugar Company is secured by the crop. The Minister stated it was not practicable to provide growers of cereal crops with credit facilities similar to those provided to beet growers.

I would like to make a suggestion. Why not the Government authorise Grain Importers, Ltd., to enter into contracts with cereal growers and put a similar credit scheme in working? I understand Grain Importers, Ltd., are a company set up by the Government to import and distribute grain.

Now that our imports have practically ceased, why not this company buy direct from the farmers. It may be said that if the farmer got an advance on his crop of wheat, oats or barley from Grain Importers, Ltd., that he might sell his grain elsewhere, as it was a marketable commodity not confined like sugar beet, but that difficulty could be overcome by Grain Importers, Ltd., publishing the names of all farmers with whom they have entered into a contract for the advance of cash and the purchase of their crop.

Convention Postponed

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, has announced that, due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the annual Convention, fixed for Dublin tomorrow, has been postponed to March 27.

Summer Time

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, writing on Summer Time and food production, says: “The British Government are to add another hour to Summer Time from 3rd May, this measure being to the advantage of the industrial workers and to help the defence works, etc. It is being much opposed by the British farmers. Let us in Eire demand that no obstacle which can be prevented will be placed in the way of the farmers of Eire in their urgent and overwhelming endeavours to keep starvation from the homes of so many of our population. To any opposition to the present hour advance in Eire there has always been the excuse that if we did not keep the same time as across the Channel it would disorganise our business trading, travelling, post office work, etc., by delay in departure of trains and boats. Such pleas have now no foundation. Let us demand that all clocks in Eire be put back one hour on 6th April. More than ever is food production necessary.”

In conclusion she suggests that a crusade of prayer be started in every parish to stop the foot and mouth disease.

Tillage 1

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, writes: I cannot let the statement made by Mr. Michael J. Kennedy, TD, at a meeting in Collinstown, Westmeath, on 23rd instant, pass. Mr. Kennedy stated: “Dr. James Ryan had warned the farmers repeatedly to put in winter wheat; the warning went unheeded, with the result that a lot of the seed had to go back to the mills for flour.” Mr. Kennedy further stated: “There must be no consideration for the farmer who shirked his responsibility. They demanded that the Department should enter these farms immediately. They guaranteed there would be dozens found to take them and cultivate them, and add to the national needs. Let red tape and regulations be cut through; the nation was demanding bread, and must get it.” Now, it is untrue to state the farmers were unmindful of the necessity to sow winter wheat, but the public must understand that weather conditions are most important for sowing winter wheat, and even the Minister for Agriculture admits that the weather has been most unsuitable, therefore he appeals for more spring wheat and other cereals and potatoes. Another thing I would like to remind your readers is the fact that nearly all winter wheat that is sown later than mid-November needs a dressing of sulphate of ammonia in the spring to help it along. Now sulphate of ammonia can’t be got at any price.

1 - The same letter was published in the Westmeath Examiner, 12.04.1941.

Political Philantrophy

To the Editor “Westmeath Examiner”. Dear Sir. I see Mr. Michael J. Kennedy, TD has replied under above heading to a letter of mine sent to your paper last week. My letter bore the plain truth and facts about the farmers’ position, and if your readers wish for further proof of the efforts of the members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation to increase food production they have them in brief statement which I have officially sent to your paper this week. At the very outbreak of the European War the Irish Farmers’ Federation offered co-operation to the Government but it was the Government that refused to co-operate with the farmers. I can’t see how Mr. Kennedy can accuse me of thwarting the Government’s efforts. I do not even know what Party Mr. Kennedy belongs nor do I care. But I do know that I cannot get even the same amount of root seeds that I got last year - though I would need twice the amount. I also know the farmers have now to pay 70/- to 78/- per barrel for Spring seed wheat, many of them having had to sell their wheat at 35/- and 37/6 last harvest, and many have not got the cash to buy seeds now. It was to bring these facts before the public that I wrote my letter last week, and I regret that Mr. Kennedy should take it as an attack on his patriotism. He may rest assured that I have no ambitions to relieve him of his comfortable seat in the Dail. Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

Farmers and Food Production 1

Sir. An Taoiseach, speaking in Limerick on March 29, is reported as stating: “Farmers had a duty to perform to the community in tilling the soil and sowing as much cereals as possible. They could be assured of a good return, a fair price for their work, and a ready market.” And again: “It is no use to say that they could not till the land.” In justice to the farmers, I beg to remind An Taoiseach and the public that if there is a shortage of food for man or beast the blame cannot be placed on the farmers. The farmers will not fail to produce all the food possible this year, but the community and the Government have a duty to the farmers. If their duty is not carried out, it is not the farmers who are responsible.

In September, 1939, we placed before An Taoiseach certain reliefs that were necessary if agriculture was to be put in a position to produce the requirements of the nation. Again in February, 1940, from our annual convention we sent resolutions to the Government asking that the Government and the Irish Banks confer with the object of providing the necessary credit to ensure the nation against any food shortage. Still a deaf ear was turned to our proposals.

It cannot be forgotten so soon that the farmers lost approximately £350’000’000 by the economic war - viz. £117’000’000 which we lost on exports, multiplied by 3, to make up for losses on our total production during that time. Many farmers were left so impoverished that they had no capital, stock, or credit, to go into production in 1939, as would have been necessary.

In order to carry out tillage you need cash to pay labour, and cash or credit to buy seeds and manures, so if the farmer has been deprived of these during the economic war he cannot be held up as a criminal if he is unable to till his land now. When the farmers held a national conference in Dublin last January An Taoiseach refused to meet them. Over and over again we have asked for economic prices for all farm produce and adequate credit facilities, for without these assurances the farmers are not in the financial position to carry out the necessary production, and we have been refused.

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Independent, 16.04.1941.

Dear Sir. Your letter of the 6th instant received, and as we have a meeting in Dublin on the 22nd instant I wonder if it would be convenient for your Committee to receive our witnesses on that date instead of the 21st instant as you must understand it is difficult for farmers to be away from their places two days in succession, at this time of the year. If however this is not convenient our witnesses will attend on the 21st but would not be able to arrive until about 12.30 pm. Our witnesses are: Mr. John Murphy, Red Cow, Dundalk, and Mr. Stephen Rynne, Downings House, Prosperous, County Kildare.

Coal For Threshing 1

Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, writes: “Owners of steam threshing sets must now register if they are to obtain supplies for next autumn. This is a most unsatisfactory arrangement and shows how little the officials who draw up such registration laws know about the farming position or how the threshing operations are regulated in the country.

It is always the rule that the farmer supplies the coal for the mill and when finished threshing gives the mill owner enough coal to carry him on to the next farm, and so on from place to place. The mill owner never has to worry about coal. In fact, it would be unworkable for him to be expected to bring his coal requirements with him. These mills often work twenty and thirty miles away from home. Another thing is that a farmer is never sure until the mill is in the yard who’s mill he will get. It often happens that the first mill engaged cannot come on appointed day and the farmer takes the first mill procurable. I make a suggestion that every coal merchant be assured of supplies for farmers for threshing. The coal merchants can give a more accurate estimation of requirements. They know their yearly customers.

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Press, 17.06.1941.

Coal for threshing sets an unsatisfactory arrangement

Sir. I see by a notice in the Press that owners of steam threshing sets must now register if they are to obtain supplies for next autumn. This is a most unsatisfactory arrangement and shows how little the officials who draw up such registration laws know about the farming position or how the threshing operations are regulated in the country. It is always the rule that the farmer supplies the coal for the mill and when finished threshing, gives the mill owner enough coal to carry him on to the next farm, and so on from place to place; the mill owner never has to worry about coal. In fact it would be unworkable for him to be expected to bring his coal requirements with him. These mills often work twenty and thirty miles away from home.

Another thing is that a farmer is never sure until the mill is in the yard, who’s mill he will get. It often happens that the first mill engaged cannot come on appointed day and the farmer takes the first mill procurable in the district if the one he has engaged does not keep to agreed date, so much depends on the weather that it is impossible to make accurate arrangements as to threshing. Therefore, the old way, where the farmer gets the coal, is the best. After all, it is the farmer who is the important person; let him be sure of the coal and not risk the loss of his harvest through any disappointment over coal.

I make the suggestion that every coal merchant be assured supplies for farmers for threshing. The coal merchant can give a more accurate estimation of requirements. They know their yearly customers.

Fuel for Threshing 1

Elizabeth F. Bobbett (General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation), in the course of a letter in regard to fuel for threshing writes: I wrote to a County Surveyor on July 7, asking for particulars re turf, and stating the farmers of a district wanted 100 tons for threshing. He replied by return, saying, “he had communicated with the appropriate Government Department which deals with the disposal of turf throughout the country, and he would let me know in a few days how the position stands.” I have had no reply since. So five weeks have gone by during which farmers in this area would have had some free days to draw turf.

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Independent, 15.08.1941.

Annual Return, 1940

Dear Sir. In reply to yours of the 25th ultimo, I wish to state that a special levy has been placed on the members of each county Branch of the Federation to meet the deficiency in the general funds at the end of the year. Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

Farmers’ Powerful Position

In your September issue you published the report of the Annual General Meeting of the Beet Growers’ Association, and at that meeting the following resolution was referred to their Council: Resolution proposed by Mr. F. Scully, Mallow, seconded by Cr. Desmond: “That the Association be asked to extend its activities so as to embrace all sections of agriculture and that the Council take suitable steps towards that end.” The resolution was supported by several members, and the Chairman, Mr. W. Mullins, Carlow, said that some six or seven years ago the Rules of the Beet Growers’ Association had been changed so as to endeavour to embrace all farmers.

Now, what are the difficulties facing such a body as the Beet Growers’ Association towards organising the farmers in general?

In writing this article, I wish to state that I am not trying to criticise the Beet Growers’ Association; but to point out the difficulties as I know them from my experience of endeavouring to unite the farmers of Eire for the past six years. While the Beet Growers’ Association is a very efficient organisation set up to deal with beet, it must be realised that beet growing only embraces a very small percentage of the farming community; therefore, farmers who are not beet growers are naturally debarred from membership of the Beet Growers’ Association.

Federation Formed

Six years ago, realising the necessity for a strong National Farmers’ Union to unite all existing farmers’ organisations, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was formed, one of the chief objects being “That the Federation would set up a Council of Agriculture representative of all branches of the Industry to act in a consultative and advisory capacity, maintaining direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture.”

As General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, I have written to every farming association in the country, and received very full co-operation from most, and we have branches of the Federation in eighteen counties. From the very commencement of our efforts we have been in communication with and cordially invited the members of the Beet Growers’ Association to co-operate in this movement, and pointed out to all associations that the Irish Farmers’ Federation did not want to interfere in the running or in the finances of any County Association or Organisation, but to be the means of uniting them all under a solid Federation, through which they would forward their demands to the Government.

I am sorry to say that the Beet Growers’ Association have been the only body that has not co-operated towards this movement. I cannot see what their attitude is, in standing aloof. When you consider how the Federation of Irish Manufacturers can unite, you should stop and think. Again, you do not see, for instance, the Drapers’ Association wanting to organise the Grocers or Hardware Merchants; yet all these different industries can unite under the title of Federation of Irish Manufacturers. It might be well to point out that, though the Farming Associations in Kerry, Cork and Roscommon, while not affiliated to the Irish Farmers’ Federation, are in close co-operation.

Did not attend

In January last a general conference of farmers was held in Dublin, to which the Beet Growers’ Association were invited but did not come, and from that conference the basis of a National Agricultural Council was formed. If the general body of Beet-growers are anxious for unity they should insist on their Association taking their place on the National Agricultural Council, and let us be united as farmers, and stand behind our demands put forward from our Council meetings.

With regard to the Rules of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, they are open for amendment at any time, and it is up to the farmers to come in and improve them; but, taken on the whole, I have never yet found anyone who could find fault with the rules as they stand.

The appointment of representatives on the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation is a matter in the hands of the County Associations, and organisations. Where counties are organised under the Irish Farmers’ Federation the branches elect their own officers, and their own representatives to the County Executives, so that the Organisation is fully democratic.

Never before in the history of Ireland was there such a crisis as confronts our nation for the next two years, and I believe it is only by the united actions of the farmers that this can be overcome by bringing their influence to bear on the Government to give the farmers a fair deal.

The following letter was read by the Secretary, the Irish Farmers’ Federation, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, 24th February, 1942: The Secretary, Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

Dear Sir. I have been instructed to send you a copy of the report of the recent Food Production Conference and the official statement issued therefrom. Hoping it will receive the attention of your Council at their next meeting.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Food Production Conference. A National Conference of representatives from Farmers’ Organisations was convened by the Irish Farmers’ Federation and held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin, on Wednesday, 11th February, 1942.

Mr. John Rooney (acting President of the Irish Farmers’ Federation) presided. Addressing the meeting, he said: The farmers are so misrepresented over the Food Production, and the unfounded charges made against us for hoarding, he called this Conference, not that we could tell the people anything new, but to repeat what we said before at previous conferences. The items we placed before the Government as being immediately necessary if we were to be in a position to produce, were Credit, Fair Prices, and that our debts of rates, annuities and Bank debts be sealed down during the Emergency.

We told the people and the Press that the Bankers and the Government would be responsible if there was Famine. Now we are near ’47 as regards Famine. The Manufacturers were not asked to produce at uneconomic prices, and we should not be asked to do so.

We need at least £10,000,000 immediately put into Food Production. It is better for a farmer to produce 14 barrels of oats on his acre of land than to produce only five barrels of wheat off that acre. The Bailiffs are as busy to-day as if we were getting fabulous prices. There are about 200 farmers in County Dublin before the Courts for debts in connection with Rates.

Mr. W. Scanlon, Roscommon Farmers’ Association, speaking on the price of Wheat, said that one of our Bishops recently said: “Thanks and praise was very little help to the farmers, and the farmers should get the same price as was being paid for imported wheat for flour, viz., £3 6s 6d per barrel.” The following week Dr. James Ryan increased the price to 50s.

Mr. Patrick McMahon, Meath, said the Agricultural Labourer was the worst paid and it was no wonder they were leaving the land, but the farmer must be put into the position to pay an increased wage. Mr. S. Lennon, Carlow, said the only means of prosperity to this country is by the Compensated Price Policy.

The following Statement was issued from the Conference: The Nation’s Food Productions Demands the Compensated Price Policy. Cheaper Food and Better Prices.

1. That remunerative prices must be paid to Farmers, and the price gap between what the Consumer is able to pay and the price at which the Farmer is able to produce must be filled by Government Finance, thereby putting in force the Compensated Price Policy. 2. That all Agricultural Production will depend on the Live Stock population of the Country. 3. That the ability of the Farmer to produce Food will depend on his Credit, his Equipment and his Live Stock. 4. That the Production of Food by Speculator has failed during the last two years. 5. That the Department of Agriculture must publish the cost of production figures for all Agricultural Products immediately. 6. That the soil of Ireland must not be depreciated in its Food Producing powers if the Nation is to be guaranteed from Famine and Poverty. 7. That Practical Farmers must direct the Food Production Policy.”

The following Resolutions were also passed unanimously: “a) That the Food Production of the 26 Counties is gravely endangered by the policy of the Government in collecting this year’s very high rate plus debts of rates, annuities, and Bank debts by Bailiffs. b) That we warn the Urban Community of the danger that may result from such a policy if continued in this Emergency. c) That ten million of 216 million idle credit lying idle in Irish Banks be immediately made available to the Farmers for the Food Production of the Country. d) That we call upon the Government to immediately have all debts of Farmers sealed down for the duration of the war. e) That all counties be responsible for the publicity of the report of the Conference in their own counties and its circulation to influential and public bodies.” Representatives from the Farmers’ Association in the following Counties were present: Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford, Westmeath, Meath, Carlow, Roscommon, Kilkenny, Monaghan, Louth, and Leix.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, IFF, Springfield, Wicklow.

Wheat fed to pigs. Unmillable Wheat Question 1

Sir. Dr. James Ryan is reported as stating in the Dail on 15th April, 1942: “It was found that some people were feeding wheat to pigs and the prices for pigs were reduced, and that in 16 out of 33 factories at one time wheat was found in slaughtered pigs.”

Now at the present time much misrepresentation is occurring about farmers and wheat, and in case any person would get the impression that the farmers were unscrupulous wretches who would not hesitate to waste human food, I think it is only fair to ask Dr. Ryan: Was there any wheat grown in 1941 which was considered unmillable? And if so, what was the farmer to do with it? Also it would be interesting to hear how many acres of wheat were returned as unmillable and how many acres of wheat were sown in 1941 that had to be ploughed up as they were a complete failure.

Regarding unmillable wheat, I know of a case where a farmer was overanxious during the first fine week of harvest last year to get his wheat cut and threshed as soon as possible, and he cut the wheat and drew it into a rick within three days of cutting. It heated and he had it threshed within the week and sent to the merchant, but the harm was done and no treatment could restore the grain as it was unmillable. All he got for the wheat for 26s 0d per barrel. Surely this was good for pig feeding?

With regard to the scarcity of bacon and butter which the public are feeling at present. Did not the Minister for Agriculture last January (in his inaugural address to University College, Cork, Dairy Science Society) sound the death knell of those two industries? In comparing the butter yield of 1941 with the exceptionally long drought in 1940 and expressing his disappointment that the 1941 yield was not increased, Dr. Ryan must have a short memory or he would have referred to the dreadful plague of foot-and-mouth disease which ravaged the country during 1941 and the slaughter of such a large number of cows particularly in the Dublin area which affected the milk production in the vicinity of the city, with the consequent purchasing of very much larger supplies of creamery milk for consumption in the city. Of course, if the totally uneconomic price paid to the farmer for milk by the creameries continues, the farmer will be compelled to sell off his cows and the country can go without butter.

It seems that money can be provided to procure guns, aeroplanes, etc., for defence, but no money to secure our food supplies in the home country, which is the only secure investment before the nation.

1 - The same letter was published in the Standard, 03.07.1942.

Our Readers’ Views

Elizabeth Bobbett, general secretary, Irish Farmer’s Federation, forwards for publication the following points made at a meeting of the National Executive and conveyed by letter to the Minister for Agriculture: Cattle Prices: The prices fixed for fat cattle during the stall-feeding season are only such as to discourage people from producing them. We view with regret the serious effect on the fertility of our land through lack of good manure. It is of the utmost importance to the nation that the fertility of our land should be maintained, therefore the necessity arises for improved prices for stall-feds. Wool Prices: That we consider the producers should have been consulted before any agreements were made with other parties. In fairness to all farmers we requested the Minister to have the present wool price made retrospective for the season and an early announcement made to that effect. Grain Prices: The present unsatisfactory prices are most unjust to the farmer who has no storage accommodation, and also to the farmer who is pressed for cash to meet his liabilities.

The Federation passed unanimously a resolution “that the minimum price for oats be 30/- per barrel, and for barley 40/- per barrel”.

Our Readers’ Views. Coupons for Sugar

Elizabeth F. Bobbett (Springfield, Wicklow), in the course of a letter, writes: “I see by a notice in Tuesday’s daily paper that householders must hand in their ration books to the shopkeeper not later than Friday, July 31, or they will not be entitled to get their sugar.” It is also stated that “a special announcement for the guidance of householders will be made before the second and third news broadcasts in English to-day (July 28)."

I protest on behalf of those living in rural Ireland that such a notice is too short, as very many country persons do not get a daily paper. Some get a weekly paper, usually on Saturday night or Sunday morning on their way home from Mass, but many do not even get a weekly paper and have no wireless set, so will not hear of this Order until they go for their usual weekly shopping on Saturday night, when they would hear of it from their shopkeeper.

The Bacon Crux

Elizabeth F. Bobbett (Springfield, Wicklow), in the course of a letter dealing with the above, states that the shortage of bacon is the result of the uneconomic price as fixed by the Pigs Marketing Board. It was strange that recently the Minister for Agriculture announced a bounty of from 6/- to 20/- per ton (to cover freight charges) on potatoes supplied to the alcohol factories. He could give a bounty to use good food to be made into petrol, but he could not give an economic price for pigs, and therefore encourage the people to feed their surplus potatoes to pigs for human food. In the creamery districts the very uneconomic price paid for milk has had a serious effect on the keeping of pigs in these districts. Farmers want a just price for their produce.

Price of Butter 1

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary, Farmers’ Federation, writes: “As reported in the daily papers the Postal Workers’ Union has protested against the increase in the price of butter, consequent on an increase of twopence per gallon in the price of milk supplied to creameries. Their protest is in reality against a very small increase in the remuneration of those engaged in the production of milk.

To show how very unreasonable that protest is we challenge them to deny that if all engaged in the production of milk and butter were paid at the same rate as the members of the Postal Workers’ Union, and if the price of butter was fixed to cover cost of production, and to leave a modest return’ to the owners of the cows, butter could not be retailed at less than six shillings a lb.

For purposes of calculation it would be assumed that hours worked would be the same as in the postal service, and that overtime, Sunday work and night work would be paid for at trade union rates. If butter was produced on these conditions and if in addition the “go slow policy” was adopted by the workers, butter would cost probably as much as 12/- or even 15/- a lb. Those engaged in the production of milk and butter are the farm labourers and family workers. According to the latest report of the Department of Industry these total 517’500, of whom 377’200 are members of farmers’ families or family workers, by far the largest, most important, and most skilled body of workers in the country. According to some of our professors of economics their earnings are estimated at less than a pound a week. It is against a slight increase in the pay of these workers that the Postal Union protests though they are getting about three times as much themselves and are asking for more.

As to Scarcity of butter. Before the last war when milk was 4d per gallon and wages 12/- a week it took the milk of three cows to pay one man’s wages, taking the yield of the average cow at 500 gallons a year. We then had enough butter for ourselves and a large surplus for export. During the past season, with milk at 7d a gallon, and wages, including Sunday pay and insurance, nearly £2 a week, it took the milk of seven cows to pay the wages of a man, more than twice as much as formerly. But the cows would not give twice as much milk, and so many farmers who had to depend on hired help were driven out of business, hence the butter scarcity.

If all engaged in the industry were paid at Postal Union rates it would take the milk of twelve to fifteen cows at the new price of 9d per gallon to pay a man’s wages. That would mean that every farmer depending on hired help would be driven out of business and that the dairying Industry would be completely paralysed.

1 - The same letter was published in The Standard, 16.10.1942.

Dear Sir. In reply to your letter of 3rd October (425 T. Dublin) regarding the Annual Returns 1941.

I submitted your letter to the meeting of our National Executive on 7th instant and as already we have asked the various counties to meet this deficit by a special levy I was instructed to forward the County Secretaries a copy of your letter.

I expect that the matter will be satisfactorily settled before the end of the year. The past twelve months have been a very difficult time for farmers as they have to wait so long for the results of their harvest, and be out of pocket all the time for seeds wages etc. that they keep putting off their subscriptions till late in the year.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. Executive Meeting

A meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation was held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin, on 7th October, 1942. Regarding the Commission to deal with post-war Agriculture, great dissatisfaction was expressed at the personnel of the Commission, the only farmer on it not representing any body of farmers, and the Secretary was instructed to write again to the Minister for Agriculture saying the members of the IFF had given further consideration to the matter and requesting adequate representation on that Committee, as the Federation represented the views of the farmers from the Twenty-six Counties in general. The following resolutions were passed and are to be sent to the Press and to the Ministers concerned: Price of Oats: “That the offer of the Oatmeal Millers to give 31s 6d per barrel for oats should be accepted by the Minister for Agriculture. We consider the refusal of the Department of Agriculture will have the effect of depriving the people of adequate supplies of Flake and Oaten Meal.” Wool: Resentment was expressed that the producers were not consulted in conjunction with the buyers before the wool season opened, and that a proper arrangement could have been arrived at. The farmers were officially advised last May and June to accept 2d per lb increase, as they all might expect, while wool is now worth 2s 4d a lb. Farm Improvement Scheme: “That this scheme should run all the year round instead of ending on 31st May, as many drains cannot be properly cleaned only when dry, and that is normally in the summer and early autumn.” Tillage Orders: “In view of the danger of not being able to procure grass seeds and the very high price of same, that where three or four grain crops have been taken it should be optional to fallow it or sow rape in it, the fallow to count the same as grass is in 1944.” Paraffin: It was stressed that a ration of at least two gallons of paraffin oil per month should be given to all farmers for use in the farmyards. It is most necessary to have light in order to attend to stock during the winter.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. “45” Card Drive. Prizes: £6 (£3, £2, £1) Final to be played at Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, on Thursday, 18th February, 1943 at 8 pm. Tickets: 6/- each, can be had from Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow. Tickets limited to 100 owing to limited space.

Men For the Land

Sir. Your Land Correspondent is to be congratulated on his recent articles regarding farm labour. Where are the men to come from? He states in reference to the grow more food meetings which have been attended in the various counties by An Taoiseach and the Ministers, to exhort us to grow more food, that “not one farmer in any of these gatherings of which we have read the reports in the daily Press seems to have had the hardihood to question An Taoiseach or his colleagues whether or not we will have any men left to do the reaping.”

I wish to state that I questioned Mr. Frank Aiken, Minister for Co-ordination of Defensive Measures at his meeting in Wicklow on this matter of shortage of farm labour and even stated that the matter we knew was very urgent in other countries, and that he should make some arrangements to have groups organised in the different areas to help save the harvest, but the Minister did not reply to my suggestions. The same matter was brought up by members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation at both the Navan and Mullingar meetings.

Dealing with the necessity for an increased price for our produce owing to the increased costs of production, the Ministers hold their own personal view that the prices we are receiving are good. They may seem good to men drawing four-figure salaries and who are not depending on the land for their living, but why deny our Irish men a living wage and force many of us to seek work in other countries, while our Government can pay 10/- per barrel more for Canadian oats than they are willing to give the Irish farmer, and they paid 84/- per barrel for foreign wheat while they would not give the Irish farmer 50/- till it was too late in the season to extend our acreage.

Last harvest we brought up the matter of the urgency of help to save the damaged crops in several counties such as South Meath, Longford and Roscommon, where the rains and floods had been very severe, but the Minister for Agriculture was unconcerned and refused to believe there was any shortage of man power for the work. Well now if your readers will look over the Agricultural Instructor’s report for Roscommon, you will see it refers to the amount of damage to crops owing to not being saved in time, etc.

A matter I also brought before the Minister at the Wicklow meeting was: why the extra charge of 4d per stone to country people on our flour as against those living in the cities and urban areas? But I got not answer. We country people grow and harvest the wheat and in many districts now there is not even a mill where we can get our own bit of wheaten meal ground; the mills have been closed up by Government order, while we must pay extra for our flour. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, The Irish Farmers’ Federation.

Butter Price 1

Sir. At a meeting in Dublin on 26th March of the Retail Grocery Trades, convened by the Retail Family Grocers’, Purveyors’, Dairy Proprietors' and Allied Traders' Association to consider the present butter prices, and the position of the trade generally, a letter was read from the Department of Supplies which stated: “The Minister is convinced that it would be an unjust imposition on the community as a whole to permit of any further increase in the price of butter. He had given the Association’s representations very full consideration. In view of the publicity the whole question had received and the erroneous impressions which the public might have drawn, it was desirable to set out the following facts: 1) Since April, 1942, when the price of milk was fixed at 9d a gallon, there was no control until the recent Order over butter retail price, and between that date and the Order the prevailing price to the consumers was 2/- a lb in the Dublin Ration area. The Order fixed this price as a maximum.”

I cannot let the above erroneous statements as to the price for milk received by the farmers to go unnoticed. I wish to contradict the statement that the price for milk to the farmer was fixed at 9d per gallon in April, 1942. The price was raised in April, 1942, from 6d to 7d per gallon, and it was only about 10th September, 1942, that the price was raised to 9d per gallon. Now during that period, April to September, the retail price of butter in most districts was 1/9 per lb and 1/10 per lb. The bulk of the butter is made at the creameries during May to September, so that when the price of butter was raised to 2/- per lb in September my Federation sent a resolution to the Minister for Agriculture asking that the price fixed for milk at 9d per gallon be made retrospective to the farmers, otherwise it was unfair to increase the price of butter which was manufactured with the cheap milk from the farmers. The farmers did not get the price as from April, 1942. Indeed, had the farmers been given a just price in April, 1942, the present necessity for rationing might have been avoided.

1 - The same letter was published in the Limerick Leader, 12.04.1943.

Potato Shortage

Sir. Having been informed that it rumoured in the city that the Government, the potato factors and the farmers are holding up the supply of potatoes to the market, we wish to publish the following statement on behalf of the farmers: “We regret the situation where the chief necessities of food are short, particularly potatoes. This can only be prevented if the farmers’ organisation be consulted with regard to the steps to be taken to secure the national food supply. The present shortage of potatoes is due 1) to the shortage of farmyard and artificial manure and therefore reduced yield of 1942 crop; 2) lack of credit for farmers; 3) the continued pressure for collection of arrears of rates and annuities in County Dublin and other counties.”

“There is a general shortage of potatoes in nearly every county, and the county towns are also without supplies. We consider those responsible for the food supplies of the city should have ascertained the quantity of potatoes available pending the arrival of the new crop.”

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary; John Rooney, Chairman, Irish Farmers’ Federation.

Clann Na Talmhan (NAP), County Dublin Branch. The Only Party with a Stake in the Country. Without the Farmers there can be no food. Vote solidly for our candidates. Miss Elizabeth Bobbett and Patrick Hickey: “on with the plough”.

Agricultural Council

Sir. Your leading article of August 25th on the necessity for an Agricultural Council is very appropriate, but you say “had such a body been in existence during recent years muddles and blunders might have been avoided.” As General Secretary and one of the founders of the Irish Farmers’ Federation I can assure you that it was the intention of the founders of the Irish Farmers’ Federation that it should be a Council of Agriculture representing all branches of the industry to act in a consultative and advisory capacity and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture. From the inception of the Federation in 1930 we had several Interviews with the Minister for Agriculture and other Ministers, but it was plain to be seen that the Agricultural Industry was being sacrificed for political ideals.

In 1939, at the outbreak of the war, An Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture received deputations from the Irish Farmers' Federation when we offered the Government our fullest co-operation in securing the Nation’s Food Supply, and we put forward our views as to the necessary help and relief needed by the farming community to enable us get into production. We offered to set up an Agricultural Council representative of all branches of the industry, but these offers were turned down by the Government. Of course, the Minister for Agriculture did set up a Consultative Council of Agriculture, but it is explicitly laid down in its rules “that the Minister is not bound to accept the advice offered by the members of the Council.”

The present muddles and blunders are the result of the non-co-operation of the Government and Minister for Agriculture with members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, who are all practical, experienced farmers. The future outlook regarding food supplies is serious. However, it is an old saying, “It's never too late to mend”, and now that the figures showing the decline in agricultural output have been recently published they are proof that all is not well with agriculture. It behoves all honest thinking citizens to insist that the farmers are put in a position to carry out their God given right to produce the food for our people. We read a lot about the farmers’ responsibilities to the country, but the citizens also have responsibilities to see that the farmers got fair treatment. There are a few vital questions which should be considered by all. Can we produce sufficient food for our people? Have we the soil and the climate to do so? Have we the farmer capable to do so? What is holding us back from such production? It is always said when the farmers ask for any help that we have not the money to enable such help to be given. The present war has shown how easy it is to get money for destruction, so it should be much, more sensible to give money for production, and what physically possible must be made financially possible.

Laoighis-Offaly’s Confidence 1

Dear M. Oliver J. Flanagan: I am very sorry to see by a letter from Mr. Lennon to the ‘Irish Independent’ that the fact of you having seconded my nomination for the Seanad election has got you into trouble with your Association. I would ask you to please hand this letter to Mr. Lennon or your Chairman at the proposed meeting of your Association to be held on 05.09.1943, as per the letter in the paper. I also return you the letter which you so kindly sent me on 27.07.1943, in which you explained to me that you could not vote in the Seanad election as you were bound by your Executive. In case you have not a copy of that letter to me it will go to prove that you have been loyal to any pledge you gave to your Association. I would ask your members to have any little differences over this matter amicably settled up, as it is not in the best interests of an Association to show publicly such differences. I would be terribly grieved if I was the cause of any split, particularly as I am one of the oldest advocates of Monetary Reform, which I have been quietly, but firmly putting before the farmers for the past 11 years, long before some of the IMRA woke up. You will admit that I have given you much interesting information on the subject and put you in touch with influential people, even in England, who are doing their best to advance the cause.

As there was no member of the IMRA going forward for the Seanad election I believe I was the strongest hope you had of pushing this very important object on every occasion in the Seanad House had I been successful. Therefore, I sincerely hope that you will not be asked to leave your Association, and that a satisfactory conclusion will be come to by your Executive. And if you like to have it publicly stated that I am a strong advocate on the necessary Monetary Reform in our present financial system I am quite willing to have it put in the paper. I don’t know Mr. Lennon’s address or I would write to him personally, so please give him this letter. I am sincerely sorry if I have caused you this unnecessary worry by your kindness in seconding my nomination which you did in the best interests of the cause. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth F. Bobbett.”

1 - The letter written by Elizabeth Bobbett was quoted in an article in the Nationalist and Leinster Times, 18.09.1943.

A Chara. Your letter of 27th October returning Form AR21 and forwarded to me from our registered office, only reached me on 1st instant as I was away from home for a few days.

I am sending the form on to the Auditor to-day so that he can make the necessary corrections.

I enclose you as requested a copy of the Auditors special report and I am phoning him to know if he wants the books with members register of names sent up to him. I am going to Dublin on 11th November (DV) and I could bring them up with me.

With reference to our having appointed the two Treasurers as Trustees I shall bring that to the Notice of our President and have the separate appointments made in future.

The deficiency of £25-9-1½ in General Funds at end of year and all expenses for present year will be eliminated by end of December 1943, at least I expect they will, as money has come in from subscriptions and from a balance in hand from the “Strike Committee Fund” which was completely separate fund, and was handed over this year to the National Executive of the Federation. I also enclose list of Committee of Management other than Officers of the Federation.

Mise le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF. 9 enclosures.

Food Prices Compared

Sir. In the “Sunday Independent” of 12th instant you published a comparative list of food prices; for the years 1934 and 1943. The very big increase in prices in Eire as compared with Northern Ireland brings one to make conclusions, which, without a proper explanation, may be definitely unfair to the producers of farm produce and to the shopkeeper. These conclusions can be summed up as follows: a) Farmers in Eire must be making huge profits and getting very high prices, b) The shopkeepers in Eire must be making extra large profits.

I write as a farmer and in the interests of the farmers’ side of the case, and leave the shopkeepers to defend their own side of the question. The position of the farmers in Northern Ireland is very different to those in Eire for the following reasons: 1) Northern Farmers' Position: No rates to pay on agricultural land, a bounty of £ 2 per acre for every acre of old grass land ploughed up, and guaranteed prices for most of their farm produce, plus a subsidy direct from the Government. This latter helps to keep the price of food low to the consumer. For example, the position regarding potatoes was explained to me a few months ago, as follows (the prices may be a little different to-day): The Northern farmer sells his potatoes to the wholesaler for £5 10/- per ton, but the farmer gets a subsidy direct from the Government of £10 per acre for every acre of potatoes he grows, whether he sells them or uses them. Now, though the wholesaler buys from the farmer £5 10/- per ton (8¼d per stone), he must sell to the retailer at £4 15/- per ton (7d per stone), but the wholesaler receives a direct subsidy from the Government of 50/- per ton (4d per stone), so his profit is secured. Naturally, if the retailer can buy his potatoes at 7d per stone he can sell them at 10d per stone. In Northern Ireland milk, meat and eggs are subsidised to as to stabilise the price to the consumer and so keep down the cost of living. The Northern farmer also has lime and artificial manure at very reasonable prices: these help him to keep up maximum production per acre, so even though agricultural wages are very much higher in the North, the farmer has “the means to produce” and has fair prices. 2) Eire Farmers’ Position: Instead of de-rating, our rates are more than double what they were a few years ago and approximately four times what they were in 1914, so that even with the concession of halving our annuity payments our increased rates wipe out that small benefit. We have a very, very small quantity of artificial manure available at almost a prohibitive price, and lime is so dear that it would be uneconomic to use it (in my district lime costs almost £5 a ton delivered, while in 1914 it was about £1). In Eire the farmers' cost of production (which must also include his cost of living) has continued to rise rapidly since 1939, and while we hear many complaints about the rise in food prices (which represents only about 50 per cent in the rise in the cost of living), we hear very little about the rise in prices of clothing, which have gone up about 85 per cent. Why, even towels which we farmers have to use in the cowhouses have gone up in price from 4d and 5d to 1/11 each! How can the position of food production and prices be improved in Eire? The first essential is to assist the farmers in every possible way to increase production. This can be done by guaranteeing them economic prices for their produce over a definite period. Secondly, by making the necessary credit available to farmers who need it to get into full production.

Naturally, readers will ask: Where is the money to come from? If we increase prices to farmers, won’t it mean higher prices to consumers and higher taxation? My answer is: No. Let the Government take a bold step and authorise an issue of national credit, interest free, say even ten million pounds, and use this credit to subsidise production and consumption of food. The security for such an issue of national credit would be the increased production from the land and we must also consider the value to the nation of better health to our citizen from being able to purchase more food.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. “45” Card Drive. 1st Prize – £3; 2nd Prize – £2; 3rd Prize –£1. Final to be played at Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, on Friday, 14th January, 1944, at 8 pm. Tickets: 6/- each. Tickets, limited to one hundred, can be had from Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. County Wicklow Executive. The Officers and Members of the County Wicklow Executive desire to thank all those Farmers who so promptly replied to their recent Circular, and hope that all those who have not yet replied will do so at an early date. We take this opportunity to wish all our Members a Happy and Prosperous New Year. (Signed) Elizbeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary, Wicklow.

Butter Shortage

At a meeting in Roscommon, Mr. A.C. McLoughlin, General Secretary, Irish Retail Traders’ Protective Association, is reported as stating: “Lack of foresight by the Government in allowing the export of heifers and young cows, coupled with the non-civic co-operation of many of the more extensive farmers, who would not produce sufficient butter for their own homesteads, had led to the reduced ration.” I would like to draw the attention of the public to the following: 1) What would be the effect on milk production if the export of heifers and young cows were stopped? The price of all cows would drop, and those farmers whose particular line of farming was the sale of in-calf heifers and young cows would cease to put their heifers to breed and would sell them as stores or fat cattle. Hence the reduction in the numbers of milk-producing stock with consequent reduction in our milk and butter supply and our exports. 2) With regard to Mr. McLoughlin’s suggestion that the Government should compel farmers with a certain acreage to produce sufficient butter to maintain their own homesteads, perhaps Mr. McLoughlin is not aware that it takes three gallons of milk to produce 1 lb of butter by home churning, while 2½ gallons of milk churned at a creamery will produce 1 lb of butter, so if his suggestion was carried out it would mean thousands of gallons less milk delivered each week to the creameries and this would have the effect of reducing the butter ration still further.

At present the country is suffering from under production of milk both for consumption and for butter production, while malnutrition and TB are on the increase. The first essential is to give the farmer some security in his industry and with an economic price for his milk he will increase production. The consumption of milk and butter, both most important foods for the health of the nation, should be subsidised, so as to enable the consumers to purchase more with their present limited incomes. For many years the consumers of butter in Eire were subsidising cheap butter on the export market.

Many millions of pounds are taken annually out of production in order to pay for unemployment and social services under Board of Health, etc. Far better put money into production and consumption of health-giving foods. The Government could readily make an issue of National Credit at a nominal interest to subsidise production and consumption, the security for which would be the increased production of wealth from the land, and a healthier people are also a national asset.

The following letter was submitted by the County Secretary: The Irish Farmers’ Federation.

Secretary: Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, 7th March, 1944.

P. T. Healy, Esq., County Manager, Wicklow County Council, Court House, Wicklow.

Dear Mr. Healy. At the Annual County Convention of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, which was held in Clash on 5th March, I was instructed to write and ask you would you receive a small deputation from the Irish Farmers’ Federation at the next meeting of the County Council. There are several very important matters which we would like to place before you and the Councillors.

First, we want an extension of time for the payment of the present half-year’s Rates till 1st May, as very many farmers have great difficulty in trying to purchase their seeds to comply with the Tillage Regulations, and to press these farmers now for their rates would mean that many of them would be forced to sell their young, immature cattle at a very bad time of the year, thereby being at a great loss on the sale of his cattle – a loss which could be avoided in the matter of the extra few weeks to meet the rates.

Secondly, the farmers are very disappointed with the small reduction in the rates for the coming year, we are entitled to a much larger reduction.

Thirdly, we demand that the Rates Estimates be dealt with at the County Council Meeting item by item and not in bulk, and we demand that the Estimates be published in the local paper item by item and comparative figures for preceding year given.

Please let me know the date of next County Council meeting so that I can notify the members of the deputation in time to attend. Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Proposed by Councillor Joseph Kavanagh; Seconded by Councillor Christopher M. Byrne, TD.

Resolved: That we hereby request the County Manager to urge the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to extend to the 30th April, 1944, the period within which the Poor Rate Collectors shall have for the purpose of closing their 1943/1944 Collections, as it has been submitted to this Council that a great hardship will be inflicted on many Ratepayers otherwise. Passed.

The following Notice of Motion was handed in by Councillor Daniel J. Kehoe and accepted by the Chairman: Notice of Motion. I give notice that I or someone for me will move at next Meeting of County Council that a second Agricultural Instructor be appointed permanently.

Irish Farmers’ Federation. The Annual Convention will be held on Wednesday, 22nd March, at 1 pm, in Ormond Hotel, Dublin. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Lost, Monday, 10th April, vicinity Williams’ shop, Dunganstown. Brown and White Collie Dog; very timid; answers “Windsor”. Information thankfully received: Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Seed Oats for sale, about five barrels of Victory II; germination, 97 per cent. Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Wicklow Farmers’ Party (Clann na Talmhan). Public Meetings will be held in Enniskerry (The Monument): Saturday, 27th May, at 8 pm; Newtown-Mt.-Kennedy: Sunday, 28th May, at 12 noon. Roundwood: Sunday, 28th May, at 8 pm (Summer Time). Give Your No. 1 Vote to Patrick Cogan. Remember, the Farmers support you. Issued by Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Director of Elections.

"A Vile Attack"

Sir. On Tuesday evening, May 23rd, the candidates for Fianna Fail, Mr. Christopher M. Byrne and Mr. Thomas Brennan, and also Mr. Tadhg Forbes, barrister-at-law, addressed a meeting at Barndarrig Church when the people came out form attending the retreat. I happened to be one of the congregation. My horse was tied up a little distance from the church, and by the time I had the trap yoked the meeting was in progress; so I had to listen to some of the speakers.

I am prompted to write this letter because of the fact that during his speech Mr. Forbes made a very vile and unjust attack on your paper, the Irish Times, and, indeed, on the minority in this country. He made reference to the leading article in Tuesday's Irish Times in his appeal to the people to give Mr. de Valera a majority, as "even the Irish Times in their leading article, that rag which is the upholder of the Unionist element and Protestantism in this country, admits that Eamon de Valera would be the most suitable Taoiseach." He went on to say that partition was the one big matter which had not yet been settled by Fianna Fail.

Well, as one who takes a very prominent part in the farmers' organisation in Eire, I know the farmers hold that it is only the farmers and people of rural Ireland who will end partition. Certainly it won't be the politicians on either side of the border, but I hold that such a vile speech from any man, much less one representing the Government Party, can only have one result, which is to stir up old bitterness and hatred and bigotry, and will do grave harm to our cause. Of course, Mr. Forbes attacked the leaders of all the other parties, and accused them of conspiring to overthrow the Government, which, of course, is definitely untrue.

As a Catholic, I was disgusted at his language and manner of address, which was bent on trying to stir up class hatred, and at a moment when the congregation, coming out from beautiful devotions, should have their hearts full of the spirit of charity and peace and good-will. It is no wonder that Mr. Patrick Cogan, the Farmers' candidate, in his election appeal, asks support for his party, which stands for "clean and honest administration." Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett,

Director of Elections for Wicklow Farmers' Party (Clann na Talmhan). Springfield, Kilbride,

Wicklow, May 25th, 1944.

PS: I have the honour to be the first lady to be appointed as Director of Elections, and not Madame O'Moore, as stated in the Irish Press. I was appointed on May 15th, so it was the Wicklow farmers who again gave the lead.

Dear Sir. I enclose you the Annual Return Form for the Irish Farmers’ Federation which I only received back from the Auditors to-day, although it should have been completed long ago and I had asked the Auditor to post it immediately he was finished with it.

I also enclose the covering letter from Mr T. M. O’Donovan ACA. I explained to Mr. O’Donovan that owing to the extra work imposed on the farmers with the compulsory tillage, lack of transport and lack of light to do any secretarial work during the winter, it was not possible for the various Branch Secretaries to send up a register of their members names and addresses for 1943. I had brought up all the registers I had for 1942 to Mr Gillic last year.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

Six Farming Experts on the ESB Scheme

In accordance with our policy of throwing open our columns to all shades of farming opinion, we present in this issue very varying views on the rural electrification scheme. It is a scheme designed to extend over ten years, one for which legalisation will be introduced in the near future, and it is scarcely too much to give it a few moments thought. The views of five farmers are given on these pages. The views of the sixth may be given here. Mr. David Yule, when approached, said he had been trying to get electricity for four years, and had forwarded our request to the proper authorities in the hope they would provide him with an answer!

In succeeding issues, the views of other prominent agriculturists, including Mr. Patrick Belton, will be presented without favour. The views of influential men who are also practical agriculturists may be expected to have a good effect when the Government face the big problem of arranging the details.

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett: “Good in principle, but…“

1) Do you consider the scheme as good in principle?

Yes, it’s greatest benefit will be felt in the farmer’s household; it will lighten the domestic work.

2) Will it help the country in returning to the world market with greater force and efficiency?

Definitely not, under the present financial system of the country, because the money must either be raised by taxation or by borrowing, in which case it is borrowed at high interest, and as the farming community produce most of the wealth of the country they will have to bear at least 75 per cent of the cost of the scheme. No matter whether it is raised by direct or indirect taxation the farmer bears the heaviest part of it, therefore every payment towards this huge sum of £17 million is so much money taken out of production of agricultural produce. After what we farmers have suffered during the past 12 years we need many millions put into production of agriculture.

3) Do you consider certain additional arrangements are needed, such as special terms to enable the small farmer to obtain the necessary equipment?

Yes. As the greatest number of farms are under 100 acres, the most of these will need new out-offices suitable for the erection of electric motor and other machinery, also dairy. It is not much use being able to get the current installed if you have not the money to buy the other requirements, and put up suitable out-offices. Certainly the light for house and out-offices would be a boon; but the statement that the ESB pays on the average £45 per family while the family pay only £10 on average will not go down with the farmer who gives it sound thought. As I said before, the farmer pays through taxation, the greater part of this £17 million, which, if borrowed at interest, will amount to a colossal sum.

Elizabeth Bobbett: Replenish the soil

I have an oil engine which gives great satisfaction, and I would be slow to change to electricity, chiefly for financial reasons. My first thought is to build up the fertility of the soil, which has suffered greatly during the past five years. I hold that neither electricity nor mechanisation will build up the fertility of the soil – only livestock can do that.

Meet our commentators: Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, described by many as “Ireland’s No. 1 Land Girl,” farms 200 acres at Springfield, Kilbride, near the lovely Wicklow coast. She goes in for mixed farming: tillage and mostly young store cattle, sheep, pigs. Her great efforts in organising the farmers are well-known, and in this very difficult sphere she has achieved a great measure of success.

One summer’s day in 1933, I strolled into the Mansion House, Dublin, to a Farmers’ Convention. I admit I felt very shy as I found there was only one other woman present in a very large audience. It was a Convention of the United Farmers’ Protection Association. I was much impressed at the speeches I heard there and delighted to know there were some farmers ready to fight for their rights.

We were going through a very difficult time owing to the Economic War, and of course, as I afterwards learned, there was a wide difference of political opinion amongst farmers. However let us leave all thought of politics out of the question. I was inspired to take a keen interest in the necessity for organisation of the farming community, chiefly by the speech of Mr. Ernest Browne of Clonboy, O’Brien’s Bridge, County Clare. Mr. Browne was most emphatic that we must have a Central Organisation that would unite all farmers and thereupon I resolved to do my share as regards organisation in my adopted County Wicklow.

It was not long till we had County Wicklow well advanced in organisation, and I took on the task of getting in touch with the Farmers’ Associations in other Counties. It was no easy task to convince them that it was possible to bring farmers together outside politics. However I am proud to relate that by invitation of the County Wicklow Farmers the first Conference of Farmers was held in the Hotel St. George, Parnell Square, Dublin, on 24th September, 1936. Fourteen counties were represented and a Committee was elected, representing Counties Clare, Cavan, Carlow, Limerick, Monaghan, Dublin, Westmeath, Wicklow and Wexford. Further meetings were arranged to discuss the Constitution and rules which would best help to give us a sound organisation, as many as seventeen Counties being present at our meetings.

Why the Federation was formed

Realising the urgent necessity for a Central Organisation that would unite all existing Farmers’ Associations with a view to closer co-operation between farmers for the benefit of the industry, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was established on the 3rd March, 1937, and was registered as a Trade Union on the 27th April, 1937. Being a Trade Union it is strictly non-political and non-sectarian. Membership is open to all farmers and farm labourers who accept its rules. The Irish Farmers’ Federation is the only Trade Body entitled to express a responsible opinion on behalf of the farmers of the country in general.

It will be understood, that there are many different Farming Associations such as Grain Growers’ Association, Beet Growers, Pig Producers, Poultry Keepers, Milk Producers, etc., etc., but the great majority of farmers had no central organisation, and we knew how one section of the farming industry could be played off against another section, as long as the farmers were kept divided into sectional organisation.

Now if agriculture is to prosper it must be treated as a whole and not divided into sections, therefore the Irish Farmers’ Federation acts like the hub of a wheel. It is the binding link, not alone between various Associations but between the various Counties.

That County Wicklow gave the lead in founding the Federation is quite easy to understand, when you consider that the Wicklow farmers are a typical cross-section of Irish farmers, holding medium to poor land, and enjoying none of the advantages of the subsidised crops of beets and wheat. (Of course at present owing to the emergency we are compelled to grow wheat, and several have tried to grow beet as it is one of the guaranteed price crops.) Tillage is not new to Wicklow as the land must be kept tilled and manured. The oat crop is grown as much for straw fodder as for grain, and in the more remote parts the farmers went in for pigs and stall feeding, theirs is essentially a mixed economy, a little of everything.This is the agriculture from which the Federation grew, and its founders have no need to apologise to any one for building on these lines. If one considers the various groups of farmers one finds for instance creamery suppliers in the South and West and in Donegal, grain growers principally in Leinster counties along with parts of Munster. Then you have the beet growing areas, the flax growing districts, and of course the milk suppliers to the cities and towns, but the vast majority of farmers are engaged in a mixed type of farming.

The main objects of the Irish Farmers’ Federation are as follows. “To consolidate all other Farmers’ Associations. This Federation to be a Council of Agriculture representing all branches of the industry, to act in a consultative and advisory capacity to, and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture. Briefly the following items: 1) Fixity of Tenure. 2) Fair prices for farm produce based on the costs of production. 3) Full de-rating of agricultural land and farm buildings. 4) Re-adjustment of Loan Credit Charges and better credit facilities for farmers. 5) Fair representation for farmers on all national legislative and administrative bodies, and the election by the organised farmers of the State of a majority of their members on all Boards dealing directly with Agriculture. 6) A Moratorium on all Land Annuities and arrears pending the re-adjustment of the position regarding these charges. 7) Adequate compensation for Economic War losses.

Affiliation of County Association: Each Association pays a fixed sum to the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation and elect their own representatives to the National Executive.

Organisation was carried on all the time under difficulties, owing to the Economic War period, followed by a General Election in 1937 and again in 1938, however even with such distractions we increased our membership from 3,800 in December 1938 to 14,500 in 1939.

It will be remembered that in April, 1939, we staged a One Day Strike in Dublin city in which many thousands of farmers from all counties marched in procession carrying banners with appropriate slogans. The County Dublin Farmers’ Association under the very able directorship of Mr. Cornelius F. McLoughlin had charge of staging the demonstration which was magnificently carried out both from an artistic point of view and showed keen organisation and co-operation.

For the first time in history not a single beast was on offer for sale in the Dublin Cattle market that day. Dublin people were quite surprised to know there were so many farmers. It made the city folk realise that we were a force to contend with.

Our demonstration showed the few Counties that had not yet awakened to the possibility of organising the farmers that such was possible, and later these Counties built up strong organisations, and while some of these Counties have not officially affiliated with the Irish Farmers’ Federation we have their co-operation on all matters dealing with Agriculture.

It was our rule to hold monthly meetings of the National Executive and after getting the considered opinion of the farmers from the various counties, to send forward our recommendation to the Government, and in particular to the Minister for Agriculture on the successful carrying out of the agricultural policy. Unfortunately the Minister did not act on our advice when offered, with the consequent result that farmers could not continue producing certain agricultural commodities at uneconomic prices so we were forced to considerably reduce our productions, the result being the rationing of certain commodities of which we previously had an exportable surplus.

In September, 1939, at the outbreak of the European War we sent a deputation to the Minister for Agriculture assuring him of our fullest co-operation in increasing the Nation’s Food Supply on the understanding that the Minister would give adequate representation to the Irish Farmers’ Federation on any Board set up to deal with agricultural interests, and that immediate relief be given to farmers as this was necessary if they were to get into full production. The Minister agreed to meet a further deputation from the Irish Farmers’ Federation at an early date. It may be well to remind our readers here, that owing to the losses sustained by the farmers during the Economic war years, they were without capital or equipment, or credit, so unless they got help from the Government, they could not carry out their duties to the Nation as they wished to do.

The Minister for Agriculture was to receive a further deputation the following week, but owing to his illness our deputation was received by An Taoiseach, Mr. Eamon de Valera. We gave him full details of the farmers’ position and requested him to give us the following reliefs to enable us to pull our full weight in increasing food production: 1) To consult the farmers before making any agreements regarding the prices of our live stock and produce for export; 2) A moratorium on arrears of Annuities and Rates which had accumulated during the Economic War years; 3) To call off the Sheriffs; 4) To make credit available.

We were very disappointed when An Taoiseach refused to comply with any of our requests. He mentioned that the farmers could not go on strike like other Trade Unions. When we reported back to our National Executive the unsympathetic attitude of An Taoiseach they were most disappointed. We expected help and co-operation in our efforts to feed the Nation. Our farmers felt that they must do something to bring the true position of the farmers before the public, in the hope of obtaining Justice, so it was decided to hold a Farmers’ Strike. It was the decision of the National Executive to explore every avenue open to us to secure our demands before we would resort to Strike Action. Although we had had several interviews from time to time with the Minister for Agriculture he had refused to give the farmers any relief, and although he promised us adequate representation on any Board set up to deal with Agriculture, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was only granted two representatives on the Agricultural Consultative Council.

After several conferences with the organised groups of farmers which were not at that time affiliated to the Federation, representatives attending from Leinster Milk Producers’ Association, Federated Creameries’ Union, Cork Farmers’ Association, Kerry Farmers’ Association, Pig Producers’ Association, and Clann na Talmhan, all of which offered their co-operation in the event of a Farmers’ Strike.A Strike was called of the Leinster Milk Producers’ and the Irish Farmers’ Federation which lasted from 18th November to 1st December, and during which time the farmers responded willingly to the call for action in order to demonstrate their grievances, and there was a complete stand-still of all fairs and markets in many Counties, and the Dublin Cattle Market was closed for two weeks.

It was our procedure in organising the counties, to hold public meetings in large towns on fair days, and later to hold demonstrations in some counties. Several large demonstrations having been held in County Wicklow, and later in Letterkenny, County Donegal, and at a very large meeting in Dunleer, County Louth, we had the honour of being addressed by Mr. Charles Magee, then vice-chairman of the Ulster Farmers’ Union. We just had to get publicity for our grievances, and owing to our continued agitation we were forcing others to admit the true position of Agriculture, as plainly expressed in the Daily Press 1st November, 1939, by Mr. S. MacEntee, then Minister for Industry, when he spoke of the debt which Industry owes to Agriculture and he said, “in my view the time has come when the rural population is entitled to look for some repayment of that debt,” also the statement of Revd. Dr. Cornelius Lucey at Rural Week in Galway, (Daily Press, August 21st, 1939), when he stated, “It is idle to try to populate a Countryside whose income is stationary and whose expenses including rates and taxes are steadily mounting.”

The year 1940 was very difficult to extend organisation, owing to the farmers’ time being taxed to the fullest with the Tillage Campaign, and owing to the unsettled state of the country on account of the European War and the threat of invasion. When not working on the land our men and women were engaged in supporting one or other of the voluntary Services.

Nevertheless the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation kept a vigilant eye on all matters affecting agriculture, and had conferences with the following bodies, the Federation of Irish Manufacturers, The Irish Banks Standing Committee, The Agricultural Credit Corporation and The Irish Land Commission and were able to bring relief to many farmers who were being unduly pressed for repayment of debts.

Every year we made representation to the Minister for Agriculture for just prices for our grain and all agricultural produce, as our costs of production kept mounting. That eventually the Minister had to increase grain prices, and do away with the restriction on the price of pigs was proof that our advice had been sound, but unfortunately it was generally too late to prevent the shortage, when the Minister took the appropriate action. It was another case of locking the door when the horse was gone.

The year 1941 the country was visited by the plague of Foot-and-Mouth disease which was a very heavy blow to our farmers, we know that our farmers suffered tremendous losses through the Foot-and-Mouth disease while other sections were able to make huge profits out of our cattle. Of course farmers were paid some compensation for the cattle that were slaughtered owing to the disease, but the greatest loss, one which could not be estimated, was suffered by those farmers who had their stock and produce held up in scheduled areas and could not move them. Their stock deteriorated, and land was taken up by them which would have produced other crops, etc., and their business was brought to a standstill.

In September that year the Irish Farmers’ Federation sent two representatives, Mr. Patrick McMahon, Meath, and Mr. G. N. Wardell, Kildare, on a delegation to Britain with the Dublin Cattle Salesmasters and Shippers to confer with the Farmers’ Unions of Scotland and England and other bodies interested in the resumption of normal cattle trading again, and we have no hesitation in saying that were it not for that delegation going to Great Britain trade would not have been resumed so soon. I would like to say here, that everywhere the delegation went on their tour, they were received in the most cordial manner.

Our farmers gave much time to the study of economic and financial matters as they affected other countries and compared with ours. In view of the advantages which other countries enjoyed, the following resolution was passed at our Annual Convention in 1942 and was sent to the Government. “That no substantial or lasting benefit can come to farmers without National Monetary Control.”

Our members have closely followed the activities of the Farmers’ Action Council of England and the Economic Reform Club and Institute of London in their efforts to have the present financial system changed, and they hold that “finance is at the root of farming difficulties with which view we concur and hold that the right to issue money and credit should be restored to the Government of the country and recognised as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility.

This would not mean nationalisation of the banks or taking away from them the power of lending existing real money. The banks have a great service to perform to industry and commerce and deserve a fair reward, but they should have no power to create and destroy money.

If our Government had the power to create money, it can use the National Credit and authorise the issue of money needed at a nominal fee to the banks for their services, but it would mean we could proceed with many schemes for future production. We are promised Rural Electrification and many millions for improved roads and high speed ways, but under the present financial system this will mean only increased taxation on the community and a further withdrawal of money form the land as the money will carry high interest rate. After all when you give the matter some thought, the National Credit belongs to the people and not to the Banks to enrich themselves with high rates of interest.

The year 1942 was perhaps the most difficult year for organisation work owing to the extra tillage and scarcity of labour, and very curtailed transport services, but the Federation continued to work for their objectives, one of the main objects being “to encourage, develop, promote and regulate farming in Ireland, and to Consolidate all other Farming Organisations in Ireland,” and we have succeeded in getting the co-operation of all the Farmers’ Organisations with the exception of the Beet Growers’ Association.

There was a feeling amongst some of our members that owing to the repeated refusal of the Government to act on our advice, and seeing the way the agricultural output was dwindling, that the farmers should try other means to redress their grievances and several were anxious that the Federation should change its rules and form a political body, but after grave consideration it was decided that we should remain a Trade Union.The advantages of this can be appreciated when during the month of April we had an interview with His Eminence Cardinal Joseph MacRory first in Dublin. In June we had the unique distinction of being received by the Cardinal and Hierarchy at Maynooth, when we placed the true position of agriculture before them. We also sent a copy of the memorandum which we placed before the Hierarchy, to the Heads of the other Churches in Ireland.

In the General Elections of 1943 and 1944 Farmers in several Counties went forward for election and were particularly successful. They are now the third largest Party in An Dail.

The Federation gave evidence before the Summer Time Commission and the Commission on Vocational Organisation. Indeed the Irish Farmers’ Federation has laid the foundation for organising Agriculture as a Vocation. It can only succeed if taken as a whole, not if it is kept in sectional interests. We aim at having our County Executives representative of the various interests, and then have our National Executive representatives sent forward from their respective counties or Associations thereby making our National Executive representative of all branches of the Industry. We do not interfere with the running of any Association, we are out to bring unity between all sections of agriculture for the benefit of the Nation.

The Future

In drawing up plans for the future of agriculture in Ireland the first essential is to see that we set up a plan that will have a true Christian outlook, and we must ask ourselves, are we going to plan just what will suit the farmers best as the most economical way of making money out of the land to enrich themselves, or are we going to use the beautiful fertile land for the purpose for which God gave it to us, namely to provide to the fullest possible extent for the requirements of our people.

If we take the true Christian outlook, it will necessitate making many drastic changes in the present so-called economic and financial systems but if in so doing, we achieve our objects and bring forth a healthy prosperous agricultural community the end will have justified the means.

The land and the people who work it, are the nation’s greatest asset, and who are better able to direct the food production of the nation than the practical farmers. To make plans for the future of Ireland in regard to electrification, speed highways, housing, etc., etc., is futile unless agriculture on which the prosperity of the nation depends is first put on a sound basis.

We base our memorandum on the following points: 1) Agriculture is and always will be our main industry. It has been sacrificed on the altar of political achievement. It has also been sacrificed for the setting up of a lop-sided industrial policy. 2) We need a revolution of the whole economic policy of the country. 3) What is wanted is a considered decision as to the part in the total economy of Ireland which agriculture is in future to play, a decision taken not in the interests of the towns population and not even altogether in the interests of agriculture, but in the interests of Ireland considered as an economic whole. 4) The organisation of agriculture as the main industry deliberately planned to produce so much of this, so much of that, and the other agricultural commodity. The old anarchy of each farmer producing regardless of what others were producing and each being at the mercy of particular surpluses and combines which “kill the price” must go. 5) A guaranteed price sufficient to give the farmer and his family a reasonable return and the workers an adequate wage for efficient production. 6) A guaranteed market free from disruption and destruction by unregulated foreign imports and financial interests.

If we admit that agriculture is a wealth producing service, which incidentally helps us to solve the practical question of unemployment, and also many other problems, we should agree that its development in this country is all important. Not only must we try and keep the people on the land but we must also bring many people back to the land. It is only too well known that the land has been sadly neglected during the past 30 years, it has been mined rather than farmed. We must remember that agriculture is not an industry, it is husbandry.

We must build up the fertility of the soil again, and as the soil will repay according to the treatment given, it will repay for any credit given to increase agricultural output. The first essential financial requirement is the spending of say ten million pounds a year to build up agricultural life. This is required to create new wealth as the ability of the farmer to produce food will depend on his credit, his equipment and his livestock. Then we need finance to provide improvements in farm-houses and farm buildings, houses for our workers, drainage, water supply, and electricity for light and power. This is all production for permanent wealth and could be financed by using the National Credit to provide Interest-free National Credit loans.

We should consider plans on the following lines: Producers should be given full responsibility for production of certain goods most suited to their locality, and get such guaranteed prices as will enable them to participate with the rest of the community in the benefits obtainable from a thrifty agriculture. The public in its own interests should accept responsibility for insisting that farmers are given facilities to produce food up to the limit of the capacity of the land, and at the same time to demand that they as consumers have sufficient purchasing power to enable them to pay a remunerative price for all agricultural produce. We should aim at increased food production so that all our people will get sufficient good healthy food grown from our own land, and after the requirements of the Home Market are filled we can export the surplus. If the surplus is not sufficient to exchange for the imports we need (no Nation can be wholly self-sufficient) we can produce more for the export market. The Home Market is the only one where you can regulate the price you will receive for your goods.

We are too often distracted from realities by the value of the Export Market while for reasons well known to all, viz. the lack of sufficient purchasing power in the hands of our own people, our people are suffering from malnutrition and our greatest industry seems to be building hospitals and sanatoriums and paying a miserable pittance through Home Help and Dole to keep people out of employment.

Let us use our land for the benefit of our own people and not carry on a system whereby we give all the profits to the shipping companies and industrial producers of artificial manures and patent food for man and beast. Let us see that we are paid a just price for our own produced food and insure that we have healthy soil, healthy food, healthy livestock and therefore a healthy people.

In conclusion we again appeal to our Government to Free the National Credit in order to carry out the following essentials to a prosperous Agriculture: To Close the Price-Gap, Stop restriction of production. Stop the taxation ramp and finance the post-war reconstruction effort.

What is physically possible must be made financially possible. We recommend the compensated price mechanism to close the price-gap and thus facilitate the production, distribution and consumption of agricultural produce.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation is at all times willing to co-operate whole-heartedly with the Government of the day in any measures for the betterment of the Agricultural Industry in Ireland.

The first President of the Irish Farmers’ Federation was Mr. William J. Davis, Leabeg, Newcastle, County Wicklow, who carried on dairying and mixed farming. Second President, Mr. John F. Conaty, Annagelliff, Cavan, who farmed about 30 acres and who devoted much of his time in organising to County Cavan farmers. Third President, Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, Punchestown House, Rathmore, County Kildare carried on dairy farming. Fourth President, Mr. Richard Hipwell, Ballybrittas, Leix, a tillage farmer. Fifth President, Mr. John Rooney, Ellistown, Ballyboughal, County Dublin, carries out mixed farming and tillage.

On all sides we hear of Planning for the future, and many well intentioned people are planning as to how the farmers should regulate their business.1 Yet to my mind, the very often mentioned plans for the uplifting of those engaged on the land, the idea of bringing them to live in planned villages and regimenting them into community centres are just what the people on the land do not want.

I was travelling on a long distance bus about a year ago and coming near Dublin about 12 miles out, the bus waited rather a long time in a neat village which has a nice village green, the ideal village. There were two farmers in the seat before me and their conversation turned on the new idea of planning. One man said, “this is a nice little place but I would not like to live in it.” The other said, “this is the sort of life the people are planning we should live, to be closer to amenities, etc.” “It would not suit me,” said the first man, “I’d rather live at the end of the boreen than amongst a lot of houses like that, sure everyone would know everybody’s business, you’d have no privacy at all.”

Now, first of all. Is farm life dull? No. It is the most interesting life of all. I hold that next to the calling of the church, farming holds the highest place. It is a noble calling. We must remember that Agriculture is the very basis of civilised life. Agriculture is not an Industry it is Husbandry. Man with nature. In farming you are dealing with living things, working on the soil to make seeds grow, and to increase the live-stock. In short the farmers’ work is to carry on the creation of food, for without it the rest of the community would die.

Farm life is never dull. You are no sooner finished putting in one crop than you are taking out some other crop, then as soon as the harvest is saved and ready for the thresher, you are getting ready to plough again for the next year’s grain. You have all the different animals with their own interesting ways. The milking, the churning and making of butter, looking after the poultry and coaxing the young turkeys to eat. Think of the excitement in the family when one of the youngsters come running in to say the first lambs are running about the fields, or another batch of chickens are scratching in the yard. It is not so pleasant if you find them scratching up the flowerbeds. Then the joy of feeding up a good calf (that is when they are worth rearing), how you would sometimes deprive yourself of your egg for tea in order to give it to the calf to make him strong. There is no life which brings the family so much together as farming, as all the family can take an interest in it. It is the ideal family life. We can all help in the work, and we all like to get even a small share in it, and here I say the women play a big part in farm life. If an accident happens, it is to the farmers’ wife they come for help. Often a sick animal is left in her charge. She makes the gruel to dose the beast if it requires nourishment, she has the hot water ready to stupe the injured leg, etc., etc. (and very few of them have the water laid on in the farm house, rather have they to drag it from a well).

Now while farm life is never dull, it has many an anxious hour and many big disappointments. You must remember that we depend on the Will of God. No matter how efficient we may be at our work, much of it will depend on the weather as to whether our crop will be good or a failure. Farmers need a very liberal profit on all they produce, because they will always have a certain amount of loss each year. For instance, if the weather is very dry and good for saving the harvest it will not be so good for live stock, or milk production, while if it is good for live stock and milk production, (that is if it is a nice wet summer) it won’t be good for harvest. Then they have losses through accidents and unavoidable diseases which occur amongst live stock.

Just think what a loss it is to a small farmer with perhaps only two or three cows and a few young cattle, to find a cow dead or two young cattle. Think of what the loss of a horse may mean. Yes we have beautiful roads for the tourists, but if a horse breaks a leg the tourists won’t pay the farmer for it, neither will the County Council.

One night’s heavy rain or storm may destroy your harvest. All these things we accept as God’s holy will. But there are a lot of things which could be averted which would make farming a more secure occupation.

We could have secured markets for most of our produce and fixed economic prices. At present, if we produce an abundance we are faced with slump prices.

Now farming covers so many different lines of work that it is a great art and you are always learning, and I never can understand why people classify agricultural labourers as unskilled workers and pay them accordingly, whereas they should be the best paid workers in the state.

Few people realise the brains and initiative necessary to carry on farming and farm work. The horse man must study his horses and know how to manage them under difficulties, the same treatment would not work with every horse. The cow man must study his cows and sheep and pigs, he knows when they are not well, but he must also know what remedy to give them.

The farmer must study the soil and know what seeds will suit the different types of land he has, and what manures he wants for the various crops.

The drift from the Land

I suppose it is not regarded as patriotic to mention the Economic War but it leads to the drive from the land. Our prices fell so low that we could not meet the rates and rent and keep the farm working as it should be worked, so something had to go, or some one had to leave the home to go and earn elsewhere.

If two small cattle paid the half year’s rates in 1931 it would have taken six to pay the half year’s rates in the years during the economic war. Well the cows would not oblige by having twins or triplets every year to satisfy the demands of the Rate collector. So any little nest egg that was put by to give a son a start in life or to fortune a daughter was handed over to the Rent or Rate Collector. Indeed, in some parts even the last cow had to go.

Naturally the boys got disappointed with the outlook for farming and they went off to the towns in search of work, which was promptly given them. They were strong good workers coming from the land, not afraid of work. They soon earned big money, but they had turned their back on the land they once loved.

Here is a point of interest for the town reader. Every country man or girl taking on work in the town throws a town person out of employment, so one of the big problems facing us is to keep the country people on the land, as the towns population is already more than large enough to fill any city jobs for many years to come. One has only to travel through any of the new areas in Dublin to wonder what will become of half the young people growing up there, where will they find work.

Much has been written during the past two or three years on the subject of the flight from the land and the decline in marriages in rural Ireland. Indeed some writers would go so far as to say that it was selfishness on the part of the farming population, as statistics prove that in the labouring and unemployed classes the marriage rate has not been so low as amongst the farming population.

Those writers seem to forget that it is the farmers who are the largest ratepayers and they have to foot the bill for the unemployed to a large extent. To put it plainly, any labourer or unemployed person is entitled to free medical aid, free hospital treatment, and Home help assistance all of which the farmer pays through his rates.

Having read through the above, you will surely agree with me that it is economic reasons which are the cause in the decline in rural Ireland. Few farmers have come through the economic war period without being in debt to some party – be it rates, annuities, bank or shop debts, but to their credit be it noted, they refrain from taking on the responsibilities of married life.

Perhaps the people in the cities do not know what the farmers have suffered but it is an old saying, “when your hat is on your house is thatched.” The farmer suffers the mental anguish of not knowing the day when the post man will hand him a notice saying, “Take notice that if the amount £… is not paid within ten days your holding will be sold to the highest bidder.” How could any farmer take the risk of seeing his family evicted?

Can we avert it? Yes. If we take a headline from Denmark where in 1931 when the farmers were faced with bankruptcy the Government scaled down all mortgages and reduced interest rates and gave economic prices for the farmers’ produce.

More especially in Ireland is the farmers’ calling the most important because being a predominately agricultural country it is only by our agricultural exports that we can provide the wealth to exchange for the necessary imports we need. For this reason all other sections of the community should regard a prosperous agriculture as the most important for the country, it is the king-pin of national economy and therefore of business.

The present mentality of the towns people is to try and keep the farmers down, because they fear if the farmer gets a fair deal and a just price that they in the towns will have to pay higher prices for their food stuff.

They overlook the fact that with all modern advances over the past hundred years, agriculture has had to foot the bill to provide the wealth to purchase the petrol, rubber, cement, electric equipment, houses, machinery, etc., etc., to mention just a few of our everyday needs.

Now the farmers and people of rural Ireland have always been in the front rank in any fight for Irish rights, after centuries of struggle we have won our political freedom, but without Financial Freedom we can never have a prosperous Ireland.

Now some people hold that Ireland is a poor country, with that view I do not agree. The only inexhaustible source of wealth… and then only inexhaustible if rightly used… is agricultural land.

The land is like nothing else in the domain of production because under proper management the more it is made to produce the greater reserves it holds.

Some people may ask what is Financial Freedom?

The right to use the National Credit for the benefit of the people, and not as at present when it is used by the Bank of England which is a private company. If the National Credit were freed from private control then Drafts on the National Credit could replace interest-bearing Bank loans which are the mill stones around our necks at present.

Other countries have saved their farmers by this method. See what New Zealand has done.

The drift from the land can be averted by giving us security in our agricultural industry with remunerative prices which will enable us to pay a decent wage to our workers, also enable us to employ sufficient workers and give more leisure to the farmers’ family who at present have to slave from daylight to dark. Insecurity has been the cause for many people not settling down on the land.

In conclusion, I would like to refer to our Social life. It is what we make it. We enjoy the local concerts and dramatic plays acted by our local people, it brings us together, then we have the hurling club for the men and the camogie club for the girls, and some like to have a tennis club, our courts may not be up to Fitzwilliam standard, but perhaps we get more fun out of them. But best of all in the winter time we like a game of cards or a dance. Of course the dance halls now have a great attraction. God be with the good old days when we could have dances in our new homes.

Then we have the coursing matches, the ploughing matches, and before the emergency we had our County Agricultural Show. Some districts have the Irish Country Womens’ Association, but the greatest boon that has come to many counties during the past years has been the branches of the Irish Farmers’ Federation. It has brought the farmers together as no other organisation has done since the days of the Land League. It has extended the hand of friendship to all farmers. It has been their guiding light.

Many people think that we want picture houses where we can go every night, we would like to see pictures now and then, but we prefer to be able to take a day off and travel to the city or town for such gaieties. We don’t want the city brought down to disturb the peaceful countryside.

1 - Signed as “Land-Girl”, in: Irish Farmers’ Federation, The Future of Agriculture in Ireland, Yearbook 1945, pp. 63-65.

In presenting this, my eighth annual report, I feel that I must sound like repeating our work through the years past but if I do, it will go to show that all through the years the advice and suggestions which we members of the Federation have sent forward to the Minister for Agriculture have been sound and practical.

Indeed several other bodies of late have been making suggestions to the Government and through the Press as how best to help and encourage the export of our cattle and encourage the production of our fat cattle while it is over two years ago since we put forward a scheme to the Minister for Agriculture to secure the Stall-feeding Industry but he would not act on it. That there is not a greater improvement in the production of bacon I feel is due to the uncertainty of the prices as we have no guarantee that a new set of reduced prices will not be announced at any moment, like the eggs prices last year and this year.

Indeed this lack of security in all lines of agriculture is the greatest hindrance to production.

Every other section of manufacturers know what profits they can make, but the farmers’ prices are controlled without him being taken into consultation and with no regard to his production costs.

Transport difficulties and also the very bad, long dragged-out harvest weather made it impossible for us to hold many meetings, but whenever it was found necessary to call our members together, we had the Emergency Committee members always ready to attend.

During the year we have sent deputations to the Minister for Agriculture regarding the Clean Wool Order, price of oats at harvest time, the tillage requirements for 1945, etc., etc. If he does not adopt our recommendations we at least can have an easy conscience of having done our duty, and the farmers are not to blame if there is any further decline in the agricultural output. We have got no help of any kind during the past year, rather have we got the reverse. We warned the Minister for Agriculture in February, 1944, of the threatened shortage of Spring Seed Wheat, but he said “they had ample reports that the harvest of Spring Wheat during 1943 would be sufficient.” While in March had to compel us to sow Canadian Seed Wheat which proved a failure and we farmers had to suffer the loss of expense in putting in the crop and having it a failure.

We are glad to relate that part of the Clean Wool Order was postponed last year, which was a great help to many farmers particularly the mountain farmers who are the largest sheep and wool producers.

You will remember that at our last Convention 1944, one item on our agenda was: How can we best attain the objects of the Federation? It is essential that we have the closest co-operation between all farmers on agricultural matters. It was unanimously agreed that we keep the Federation strictly as a trade union. But seeing that the farmers then had a very strong party in the Dail, Clann na Talmhan, it was decided that we should send them a copy of the Minutes of our meetings so that that party might forward the claims of the Federation in the interests of the agricultural industry. Mr. Patrick Cogan, TD, did bring forward the necessity for amendment of the Wool Prices and Clean Wool Orders and he brought up the matter of a tillage subsidy for all land under tillage, and quite recently he has brought up the matter of freight charges to the Carlow Factory area which is penalised as it is the only factory area which gets no subsidy on the freight charges.

I regret to say that farmers are still being pressed for debts of arrears of rates and annuities and bank debts, the result of the Economic War period. But we have been able to get extension of time for many of them and got some settlements with the banks for more.

Having steered the farmers through a most difficult time for the past few years I believe the Federation will ultimately gain its objectives which are “to unite farmers on all matters dealing with agriculture and to improve the conditions of the agricultural industry in general.” We have had many attempts to drag the Federation into politics, but thanks to our staunch members we have kept away from politics and leave that to farmers’ own judgement. Our duty is agriculture first and all the time.

Organisation

Our greatest drawback towards organisation was publicity, so this year we have published a book, “The Future of Agriculture in Ireland,” written in plain language by farmers for farmers. The response of the various Irish and English firms when asked to take advertising space showed us how interested the business people are in the prosperity of the farmers, so it shows a spirit of co-operation in the right direction.

Monetary Reform

We firmly believe that no substantial or lasting benefit can come to the farmers of this country without national control of the credit of the country so we must try and spread the light in the direction. Until we can regulate our own prices, we cannot have proper planning for agriculture. We must have a long term policy governed by security and economic prices.

While there seems no lack of desire to spend millions on rural electrification, turf production, high speedways, etc., etc. there is never any money to devote to the only real wealth producing industry Agriculture.

In conclusion, I am happy to say that our finances are on the right side, with all our debts paid we still have a good credit balance at the bank, but I would here like to remind the farmers that they should build up their funds so that they can continue to organise in all counties. We must have pioneers to go out to other counties which are not yet organised and we need funds to carry on the good work.

There is no reason why we should be saddled with a term of depression at the end of the European hostilities, unless we are prepared to take any medicine which is handed out to us, and that is not like true Irish men and women, so be up and doing and strengthen the organisation and assert our rights to a just living in our own land.

Correspondence. District versus County Charges

I thank Mr. Christopher M. Byrne for his reply in your issue of 24th March. I have no desire to enter into a newspaper controversy in this matter, but definitely had to uphold my position as leader of the deputation from the Irish Farmers’ Federation which was received by the County Council some months ago, when we protested against this change in making district charges a county at large charge, as Mr. Christopher M. Byrne had stated “that there was no need for increased rates and the amount that had been bandied about in statements made that they would have to pay 5d was untrue, unjust and unfair.” As leader of the deputation, I was voicing the considered opinions of our members and therefore it is incorrect for Mr. C. M. Byrne to surmise “that my letter would seem to indicate that such a rate would have to be paid in the coming year for the first time.” We are well aware that separate charges have always been paid in certain districts, Rathdrum included, but they were for work carried out in those districts. What we do object to is that districts such as Calary, Roundwood, Greenane, Knockananna, etc., will now have to pay for improvements carried out in other areas, while these districts can never benefit from such amenities. By all means if a district wants a certain improvement carried out such as sewerage, light, water, let the people who want it be prepared to pay for it. It is not compulsory on people to take in the water, sewerage or light, but if they ask for it, it is only reasonable that they should be prepared to pay for it, and not expect the county districts to pay a share of the cost. I know of several lots of labourers’ cottages in other counties where some of the families did not take in the light, and they have not to pay increased rates or rent, while those who got the light have to pay the increase. In concluding his letter Mr. C. M. Byrne points out the advantages that will be gained by the ratepayers in Rathdrum district by the new procedure when the following works are carried out: extension to Newtown sewerage system to Kiladreenan, water and sewerage to Aughrim village, water supply to Arklow Rock, sewerage works at Newcastle and Avoca. But he hesitates to state what are the new improvements to be carried out in Greystones and Delgany and the approximate cost of which will be placed on Rathdrum district, and what the ultimate total costs will be to the districts. We regret that the full facts for and against these new changes were not placed before the County Council at the appropriate time. Elizabeth F. Bobbett. County Secretary IFF.

Farmers’ Work in Emergency

Sir. At a luncheon of the Federation of Irish Wholesale Associations in Dublin on July 19 Mr. T. O’Connor, chairman, Dublin Port and Docks Board, is reported as stating: “Were it not for the steps taken by the Government, when they found themselves cut off overnight from sources of supply in securing ships and compelling the farmers to do their duty towards the country, they might have found themselves in a much worse position during the war.” On behalf of the farmers of Ireland, as general secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, I take exception to Mr. T. O’Connor’s remark, and request its withdrawal. Indeed, it ill becomes a member of the Port and Docks Board to misrepresent the farmers, seeing that the farmers produce the bulk of our export trade.

Perhaps Mr. O’Connor was not interested in the farmers or their actions in 1939 (it is more fashionable nowadays to show interest in agriculture), but at the outbreak of the European war the members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation called on Dr. James Ryan, Minister for Agriculture, and offered him “the fullest co-operation of the farming community in increasing the nation’s food supply on the understanding that the Minister would give adequate representation to the Irish Farmers’ Federation on any Board set up to deal with agricultural interests, and that immediate relief be given to farmers to enable them get into production.”

The following week our deputation was received by Mr. Eamon de Valera as Dr. Ryan was ill, and also present at the 3hour interview were members of the Beet Growers’ Association and National Ploughing Association.

The members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation pressed An Taoiseach to make no agreement with England regarding the prices of live stock and agricultural produce without first consulting the producers, but he would not agree to that. We also asked him to grant a moratorium on arrears of rates and annuities, and withdraw the “Flying Squad,” but he also refused. Perhaps Mr. O’Connor does not know what the “Flying Squad” was. It was a force of Civic Guards and an officer from the Sheriff to seize the farmer’s stock, take them away, and sell them at sacrificial prices for arrears of annuities or rates.

We farmers understood we would need a million acres more tillage, but having come through the Economic War badly wounded most of us in debt, and no capital or credit, and very little stock, it was impossible for us to get into the full production necessary unless we got help from the Government, but they would not co-operate with us. Had they done so, I firmly believe you would never have had rationing of butter, or sugar or scarcity of bread, bacon and eggs, as you have experienced. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, Springfield, Wicklow.

Irish Farmers’ Federation

I wish to state that the Public Meeting Held in Aughrim, on 25th July, was a Meeting called under the auspices of the Wicklow Farmers’ Party, and advertised as such, and Not Under the Irish Farmers’ Federation. The published reports of the meeting contained some errors, which if not contradicted, might be harmful to the steady progress of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, which is the Farmers’ Trade Union, and does not take part in politics. The IFF had requested the Minister for Agriculture to raise the Minimum Price for Oats to 26/- per barrel, and we advise any Farmer who can do so, to store his Oats, and also keep over some for Spring Threshing. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Correspondence. Red Cross Society’s Appeal to Farmers

I see an advertisement in your paper from the County Wicklow Committee of the Irish Red Cross Society (IRCS) issuing an urgent appeal to the farmers of County Wicklow to send in supplies of potatoes to feed the Polish children when they come to Glencree, Enniskerry. Mr. J. A. Toner, honorary secretary, IRCS, Wicklow branch, has very kindly offered to supply sacks and take in deliveries from Wicklow district at Messrs. Coleborn and Hopkins Garage, Wicklow. Now, as I am a member of the Red Cross Society, and also a farmer, I mentioned the matter to some farmers whom I met a few days ago, and one of them said to me, “I gave a ton of potatoes last year, at the time I sent them to the Irish Red Cross Society they were worth £15 a ton in my county (he was not a County Wicklow farmer) by all means I would try and help to supply food to the Irish Red Cross Society for relief of starving people, but I think the least the Society should do in appreciation of what the farmers send them is to publish the list of farmers’ name and the amount they send, just the same as they can publish every monetary subscription as low as 5s.”

Several other farmers had the same complaint, and as I am a person who will not say a thing behind backs, I said I would bring the matter to the notice of the Society and the public if possible.

Now, why ask the farmers to make all the gifts, why not ask the Transport Company to carry the gifts free from a collecting centre in each district to the Red Cross Depot, or even let the Society pay the Transport Company half the usual freight. I believe that with proper co-operation and organisation, hundreds of tons of food could be get every month for the Irish Red Cross Society, but every section of the community should be willing to share in the work, those who cannot grow food could perhaps send a subscription to purchase it. To publish the names of farmers who sent in potatoes would also help to stir up their neighbours to charitable action and grow some potatoes this year for the Society.

While it seems the usual thing to ask the farmers for contributions of food, why not ask the seed merchants to supply so many cwt of seed potatoes to farmers, free, to be grown for the Society. Ask the manure merchants to supply some free manure, even ask the leisured class for subscriptions to buy seed to give the farmers to grow for the Society. All have a right to share in the good work. Lastly ask the newspapers to give free advertisements to encourage the work or to announce days for collecting food for the Society. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

Miss Bobbett’s Home Truths for Dairy Expert

Sir. In the Irish Independent on January 23, 1946, under the heading, “Dairying Expert’s Criticism of Farmers”, Professor John Lyons, Professor of Dairy Technology, University College, Cork, in an address to Cork Rotary Club is reported as stating: “The farmers of this country compared with other countries had generally a poor knowledge of dairy farming and of the breeding and care of dairy cattle, and until they were prepared to admit this and sought enlightenment there was not much hope for the future of the industry. The fact that Irish cows were on the average very poor milkers was, he said, due to the lack of interest shown by the great majority of farmers in the milking qualities of their cows.” As example of the ignorance and incompetence of our farmers, he refers to the decline in our butter production since 1929. He said that both farm and creamery production had declined by 200,000 cwt annually since that year.

Now, let us get down to hard facts, not farming on paper, as is evidently the method that the Professor is expert at, and perhaps we can see the reasons for such decline, not all due to the ignorance of our farmers. We all know the criticism hurled at farmers for not joining Cow Testing Associations and feeding up their cows to give a high milk yield. We farmers must always keep before us the fact that it is from the price we receive for our produce that we must try and meet our expenditure, and until the price for milk sold to creameries is made remunerative, taking into account all costs of production including labour, there can be no great prospects for expansion in butter production.

For example, I was invited to attend the Irish Dairy Shorthorn Breeders (IDSB) Annual Congress at Mallow a few years ago, and the Rev. President (who was unable to be present) in his letter to Congress stated that as long as it cost £55 to produce £50 worth of milk it was useless to expect farmers to support Cow-Testing Associations. Now, in taking the years 1929 and following years, the Professor, while branding our farmers as ignorant and careless, seems to forget that in 1932 we farmers were called upon to fight an Economic War. We were the only section asked to bear the burden. (Remember also that in that war there were political issues as well as financial issues that may have been the means of Eire’s neutrality). The losses to Eire’s farmers through the Economic War may safely be estimated at approximately £300,000,000. Our farmers at the beginning of the Emergency in September, 1939, were very low in capital, equipment, or credit, and got no help with either, still we kept the rest of the population, including the Professor, from starvation.

It was only a week ago I was speaking to a neighbouring farmer regarding the fear of slump prices, and he said it was only a few years back, during the Economic War, since he was selling his fresh milk at 4d per gallon (60 gallons for £1) and driving it four miles to meet a lorry. It would pay well to feed cows to 1,200 gallons at that price! Labour, both hired and family labour, has been enticed off the land by better standards of living and high wages. If we are to build up our agriculture it must be done by raising the standard of living for all engaged on the land, and by security in prices over a long period. We know there can be much improvement in dairying by more scientific feeding, but we must have the inducement to make it worth while.

The Food Conference

Sir. For several years past the members of the Irish Farmers' Federation have been pressing the necessity for better prices for Irish fat cattle purchased by the British. Our farmers should at least get the same prices as are paid to Northern Ireland farmers. At present the English subsidy on fat cattle is equivalent to a tax of 10/- per cwt on Irish fat cattle, and better prices must be forthcoming for winter beef cattle if the fertility of our land is to be maintained. This is a matter of national importance. To the ordinary farmer this penalisation of price by the British Government for Eire's fat cattle seems very short-sighted when their country is so short of essential foods.

As is well known, a very large number of our store cattle which are going across have only to be kept for two months to qualify the English feeder for a subsidy. If these cattle were being purchased at the same prices as Northern Irish cattle, our farmers would finish them off, and the English farmers would have saved two months' feeding which could have been devoted to increase in their home supplies of milk, eggs, or pigs. Yours, etc., Elisabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers' Federation.

Horses, Cattle, Stock

For Sale immediately, a handsome, high-class Hunter Brood Mare, brown, 12 years old, with Chestnut filly foal at foot; three white legs and white blaze face; likely to make a heavy-weight hunter. Foaled 7th May. The mare is very quiet and very fruitful. Price £40. Apply Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

A Duine Uasail. Please accept the deep sympathy of our members on the tragic death of your step-brother the Revd. T. Wheelwright may he rest in peace.

I have also been directed to forward you copies of resolutions which were passed unanimously at a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in Ormond Hotel Dublin on 24th July 1946.

High Cost of Living: That owing to the misleading propaganda that high prices for Agricultural Produce are to blame for the high cost of living, we farmers request that a tribunal be set up by the Government immediately, to investigate the Costs of Production and Distribution of Clothes and boots which are essentials, and report to the Government within a month.

We farmers believe that the present Industrial Tariff economy is creating a state of chaos in agriculture.

Beet Prices: We support the demand of the Beet Growers Association for an increased price for Beet, on account of the increased cost of production, and we are satisfied that Consumers would be quite willing to pay more for their sugar, with the exception of the very poor who should be provided for.

Industrial Relations Acts: We consider that Agriculture being the largest and most important Industry should have representation in the Labour Courts.

Is mise le mor-meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Our Readers Are Writing. Farmers are grateful

Sir. We wish to express our thanks to the Government, the County Councils and various public bodies and business firms who have come forward to help in the great National Drive to save the harvest. In particular we express our grateful appreciation to all the men and women who have volunteered to help in the fields, and in trying to provide food and transport for the workers.

We know that such work in the fields by persons who are not used to it is very tiring and many will have sore hands and aching backs, but nevertheless all will be happy in knowing that they have done a noble work in trying to provide food for the coming year. It will give many an insight to the magnificent work done by the farmers since 1939 to feed the nation.

While much reaping and drawing in of corn has been completed in County Dublin, it is one of the earliest counties, so it will be several weeks yet till the harvest is threshed in other counties even with fine weather and extra help. We regret to remind the public that it is not only the grain harvest that is in danger, the potatoes are getting black very quickly, and we hope that the splendid volunteer service now so well organised will be kept on till the potatoes are safe.

From reports to hand, we are aware that grain is bushelling very low and has a high moisture content, and we fear that owing to absence of sunshine and abnormal rainfall there is likely to be an acute shortage of wheat suitable for seed next spring.

I have been asked by several of our members to appeal to farmers who are fortunate to have good spring wheat suitable for seed to harvest it as best they can, and not to thresh it now, but to keep it to thresh in the spring, as they hold it will be difficult to get seed next spring that will germinate well, and it is only wheat that is matured in the straw and sown soon after threshing that will be suitable for seed at all. If it keeps fresh in the ricks until spring, even if the bushelling is low, if sown soon after threshing it will germinate all right.

May God bless all those who have come forward so willingly to help us in our immense task. Their cheerful presence in the fields has acted like a tonic on many a weary worker. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers' Federation, Wicklow.

Correspondence. The Egg Export Agreement

Under the above heading you published a letter in “The Wicklow People” of 2nd November signed by Mr. Thomas O’Reilly, 25 St. Canice’s Road, Glasnevin, Dublin, in which he tried to paint the new egg export agreement in glowing colours. He takes 19 paragraphs and a large portion of the alphabet to go into details of our numbers of poultry and all the eggs they produce and how many eggs every class of person eats. If we farmers could eat all the eggs he says we do eat, we must have wonderful digestions no doubt, but I doubt if any person in rural Ireland will swallow Mr. O’Reilly’s statements.

I would like to know from what source he took his figures. His very first statement is 1) There are not less than ten million laying hens in Eire. 2) On average they lay not less than 11 eggs per year each. 3) Annual production is therefore 1,150,000,000 eggs per year (one thousand one hundred and fifty million eggs per year). Now the following figures taken from the Statistical Abstract of 1942 will throw some light on the matter: Year 1941: Number of poultry ordinary fowl over six months are 8,813,963, and under six months are 5,584,828; total 14,398,791 ordinary fowl, which of course includes cocks and chicks as well as laying hens. Also for the year 1940/41 the estimated output of ordinary fowl is stated as 7,688,000, and the estimated output of eggs for the same year is stated as 7,774,000. As the number of our poultry have not increased to any great extent if at all from 1941 I leave it to Mr. O’Reilly to fill the gap as to where he arrived at the figure of one thousand one hundred and fifty million eggs per year.

In paragraph 6) he states that the farming community of Eire, large and small and their families eat 400 eggs per person each year, and in paragraph 19) after previously suggesting that the farmers’ families should eat less eggs so as to have more to export, he says farmers’ families could cut down their egg eating by three eggs a week per person in the months of plentiful supply (when thousands and thousands of farmers’ families eat at least 15 eggs per person per week) it will amount to close on 200,000 more cases of eggs in the year for export.

His paragraph 16) is the cream of the article. It says: “The prices offered to us by the British Minister for Food are several shillings higher per 120 eggs than have been offered to any other country which will be sending eggs to Britain.” Well, we need not go across the water to correct that; we need only look over the Border, where our sisters (I say sisters, as it is the women folk have most to do with egg production) get 3/6 per dozen all the year round for their eggs, while we are offered 2/9 as the big increase.

Now I would be the last person in the world to throw cold water on any scheme that would help to increase agricultural production in Eire, as agriculture is and always will be our main Industry, but in considering the causes for the decline in our poultry production, chiefly in egg production, I would try and find the cause for that decline. Any poultry keeper will tell you that the price paid for eggs was not considered sufficient to cover costs of production and leave a fair return to cover labour. Please remember that be it family labour or hired labour, the labourer is worthy of his hire.

Now there is a very important point that I would like to make in regard to the export price for our eggs. It is this: As long as our currency is controlled by Britain she dictates the price to suit herself as to what she will pay for our produce, and she also dictates the price which we must pay her for all we want to import, so it’s a case of “Heads I win Tails you lose” every time.

If our Parliament had the control of the credit of the nation with the power to issue our own currency backed by the credit of the Irish people, our ability to produce our Government could then make a long term agreement to purchase our eggs, bacon, butter, etc. at “just prices” and pay our farmers for them. The Government could then export them on whatever terms they liked to any country. Under such an agreement our farmers could continue to increase production.

Finally, I would like to ask Mr. O’Reilly why he would suggest that the farmers and their families should be the persons to reduce their egg consumption. It would be more in line if he made that suggestion to those people living in cities and towns – people who can run out of the house or office or shop and get a pint of stout or other beer and a sandwich, or go to a restaurant and get a meal. He fails to appreciate the fact that farmers are often five miles from a town, and have no place to buy fresh meat, and we all do not kill our own pigs. Neither can we go out to buy extra meals, so why should the farmers (who have hard manual work to do and long hours) be asked to tighten their belts in order to provide more eggs for export? It is a well-known fact that farmers who sell eggs (like farmers who sell milk) are very saving on what is used in the household. Mr. O’Reilly omitted to state how many eggs were used for hatching purposes each year and the number that came to maturity. Elizabeth F. Bobbett. Springfield, Wicklow.

Special Notices

Organiser wanted immediately by the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Applicant must be strong, energetic, a good speaker, and well recommended. Good salary and commission. Apply to: General Secretary, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

It is to be regretted that many people to-day are forced through changing circumstances to come to the conclusion that the horse’s days are numbered where agriculture is concerned, and that it is only a matter of time till he is replaced by the tractor to do all the ploughing, cultivating, mowing reaping etc., and also the carting of dung and crops; in fact everything on the farm that the horse was formerly used for.

Well, I suppose we will be called very progressive and very efficient if we all took to the tractor, and I have nothing to say against the tractor, in fact I am one of those who is reluctantly in favour of the tractor for many reasons as I will explain later; but I want here to offer a word of warning in favour of the old horse.

Firstly, when speaking now of the horse, I imply horses used for Agricultural purposes and not thoroughbred racehorses, as they are a class to themselves and our Irish thoroughbreds are world renowned. As regards the total number of horses including thoroughbreds I find that in the year 1921 the total was very high 490,183 but by 1931 it had decreased by 40,486, and then advanced, never varying very much, and in 1934 the total was 453,852. Of this number there were only 69,223 unbroken, so we can assume that the remainder were “gainfully employed” and therefore being housed and fed on corn for the greater part of the year.

Roughly speaking, to feed this number of horses 384,629 during the year we would need at least 400,000 statute acres of Oats.

The total area under Oats in 1943 was 936,253 statute acres, and if we set aside 400,000 acres for horses, it leaves 536,253 acres to supply oatmeal for human use, and corn for cattle, poultry, and pig feeding. In recent years we have had to import oats, and at a higher price than our farmers were paid for growing it. Is this a wise policy from the National view point?

In 1935 the Hon. Mr. W. E. Wylie writing on the Horse Breeding Industry stated that 7,415 persons were engaged to produce oats for horses, and 67,415 persons engaged in the Horse Industry. Of course if we decide to go all out for tractors, we can find some other means to devote the 400,000 acres now used for oat growing. It may not be so easy to find employment for those now engaged in the Horse Industry and production of Oats. Shall they emigrate?

Here is the snag, the farmer at present is not getting sufficient prices for his produce to leave him in a position to pay wages that will induce men to stay on the land, and leave the farmer a reasonable profit.

When you put the cost of production of oats and hay and cost of upkeep for horses, which includes Blacksmith’s bill and harness repairs etc. and above all the difficulty of getting competent men to follow horses, it may in the future work out cheaper to possess a tractor.

Some points in favour of the tractor are that it has not to be fed when it is not working, and of course it can work night and day to make up for lost time through bad weather.

But, there are dangers ahead; remember that all the petrol, oil and spare parts are things which have to be imported, and for which we farmers have to provide the money by our agricultural exports.

Remember that we have no control on what may happen in other countries. They can refuse to give us petrol, or there may be a transport strike either at home or abroad, and your tractor can sit idle all the spring or harvest for want of petrol or oil.

And now as regards every farmer having a tractor. It would be totally uneconomic for the small farmers to have a tractor and the necessary equipment. The initial outlay is too great, and he would have no room to house the machinery. The majority of our farms being under 50 acres.

The way the tractor can help the small farmer is by getting your Parish Committee to purchase a set and hire it out at a reasonable rate to the farmers of the parish, herein lies the necessity for your Farmers’ Organisation in each parish. By having your Farmers’ Organisation you can easily get Credit to purchase a tractor and equipment and threshing mill, through the Agricultural Credit Corporation.

Although this is the age for speed, I have rarely met a farmer but he will agree that the horse ploughing is the better job. It stands to reason, as the ploughman is walking behind his plough and takes great notice of his work and also of the composition of the soil, which observation means a lot to the genuine farmer.

Lastly, Ireland is a great horse-breeding country and we know by experience that most European Countries come to Ireland to replenish their stocks, but I feel some encouragement will be necessary in the future to induce farmers to keep some good mares for breeding purposes. It takes five years to produce a good agricultural horse, and takes time and trouble to train him properly, and at present prices the future is not very bright.

As for keeping horses for the pleasure of driving them with the roads we have now like skating rinks, the pleasure is turned into fear. Of course the Engineer will tell us that we can get rubber shoes for your horses or steel studs for their feet. But this is a matter of cost. I saw a cob shod this week with these steel studs in the shoes, and it cost 11s for the set of shoes and 16s for the eight steel studs, 27s for the set, which long ago we could get for 3s 6d or 4s and had safe roads and a pleasant and healthy drive. The use of rubber is not suitable when the horse also has to work on the land.

As regards the most suitable breed for Agricultural purposes, I find that every country, in fact every district has its own fancy. No doubt, in Ireland we have a splendid type of light or Irish Draught Horse which would be hard to beat in any country. This particular type was valued for his better speed in either cart or plough, and he was more easily fed than the heavier type of horse. It was from this strain that most of our valuable hunting horses were bred in the past, and I trust we will not be so blind as to endanger this truly valuable asset by any want of attention

While our Department gives good encouragement by way of free nominations to suitable Sires for selected Mares, I think some more satisfactory scheme could also be achieved that would encourage the better care of the young horse in its early years.

The Royal Dublin Society also give a special prize at County Shows for young mares suitable to breed hunters, and this has been a very great help towards good hunter breeding. We also have a very useful hardy type of cob known as the Connemara Pony, bred in the West of Ireland. These animals have great endurance and are invaluable to the small holder.

I think there is none of our animals like a good horse, or anything more beautiful and natural than a good pair of horses striding off in front of a good craftsman turning up the red soil, or anything so interesting as watching a good pair of horses closing the drills of a potato crop, and see how they tread so carefully so as not to tread on a seed. They know their work as well as the man who follows them, it is National Self-sufficiency in itself. We can always have the horse, but not the coal, the iron, or the oil.

Basing Irish Agriculture on the Horse the Cow and the Sow is now as ever the true national policy of our country.

I write from first hand knowledge of horses, having bred nearly all my own horses both hunters and farm horses for over 22 years, and like most lines of farming it has its ups and downs. While I never made a fortune they never let me down.

In 1946 we celebrated the centenary of Charles S. Parnell and the Centenary of Michael Davitt the greatest champions of the farmers and rural people of Ireland. It may be well to refresh the memory of some of our farmers of the older school and to enlighten those of the younger generation on the subject of organisation of the farmers.

When Parnell and Davit inspired the farmers to unite, and the Land League was founded, you must remember that the farmers were a very down-trodden section of the community, and all were united in their desire to shake off the oppression of an English Government and the Land Lords. The only way they could bring pressure to bear on that Government was to get elected and fight their cause in the Parliament in London, hence we know and gratefully acknowledge the many benefits won for our farmers in the various Land Purchase Acts. Later, in 1889, we had a great movement started to benefit farmers through the late Sir Horace Plunkett in the Co-operative movement which chiefly made headway in the Creamery districts, later this movement was subsided by the Government and is still going strong as the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society.

Broadly speaking, the period from 1900 to 1912 were the best periods ever experienced by Irish Farmers. Prices and Costs remained fairly steady, if you bought cattle or sheep in the spring, you knew what you were likely to get for them in the autumn, and if you put in cattle to fatten in winter, you knew approximately what they would be worth in the spring. Likewise with corn crops you knew to a few shillings what grain would fetch per barrel. Wages and Rates were fairly steady, and there was contentment amongst those who worked on the land.

Then came the disastrous Foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in 1913 followed by the Great War 1914-1918, which ushered in a period of great inflation, high prices coupled with high wages, high cost of living and rising taxation.

During the years 1918 to 1921 prices were falling for agricultural products, while wages and Rates and agricultural requirements remained high, as also did clothes etc. The farmers were unable to keep paying these high prices, there were several Strikes of Agricultural Workers.

After the Treaty and the setting up of our own Government the burden on farmers increased, taxation and rates soared, with prices declining. Then 1926/1927 came the Crash. Britain went back on the Gold Standard and by that action over night the value of our stocks was reduced to a third. When this crisis came, the farmers of England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland were given De-rating of Agricultural Land and Buildings which helped them to meet the position, but the farmers of our 26 Counties got no relief.

In 1918/1919 a Farmers’ Union was started which rapidly spread to most counties, but later when we got our own Government, the farmers put forward candidates for election to the Dail gaining several seats and all went well for a time. Unfortunately at a later stage the Farmers’ Party was swallowed up by fusion with the Government Party and their Union faded away.

All farmers are aware of the continued depression in farming from 1927, (though they may not be aware of the cause) and in 1931/1932 the United Farmers’ Protection Association was formed having amongst its supporters many members of the Fianna Fail party.

At this time farmers were being sold out by Banks (for mortgages incurred during the inflation period, and which through no fault of their own, the farmers were not able to meet) one of the chief points in the policy of the United Farmers’ Protection Association was the settlement of Frozen Loans with the Banks and the control of our own currency and De-rating.

Incidentally, Mr. Patrick Cosgrave’s Government refused to give the farmers de-rating of agricultural land, Mr. Eamon de Valera’s party seeking election promised de-rating, but when they got in to power they did not give de-rating. Later they halved the Land Annuities but our rates were so much increased that in most cases the total charge now for rates and annuities is higher than it was in 1932.

In 1932 Mr. De Valera’s Government was elected and once again the Farmers were used as the tools of the politicians. Then the Economic War was launched by Britain putting a tariff on our cattle, sheep pigs etc. going into Britain because Mr. de Valera withheld the Land Annuities from Britain. Now many people think the Economic War lasted from July 1932 to April 1938 because the tariffs were kept on during that period, but they forget that the Economic War only lasted till the first Coal-Cattle Pact was made between Mr. de Valera’s Government and the British Government, hence our farmers were put into the front line trenches unaided to fight both a political and a financial battle. The United Farmers’ Protection Association did valuable work through publicity for the farmers’ grievances and their agitation to have the Banking Commission set up, at which they gave evidence.

How the Irish Farmers’ Federation was set up

I was a member of the United Farmers’ Protection Association and at their Convention held in the Mansion House in 1933 which was attended by farmers from nearly every country, I met Mr. Ernest Browne of Clonboy, O’Brien’s Bridge, County Clare. I was very much impressed by his speech and his out-line of a plan to unite the farmers of all counties in a non-political Organisation where every branch of farming would be co-ordinated. I resolved to do my share in the work of spreading organisation in County Wicklow, my adopted country, and I feel honoured to say I took a very active part in founding the Irish Farmers’ Federation. I took on the task of getting in touch with Farmers’ Associations in other counties. It was no easy task to convince them that it was possible to bring farmers together outside politics.

On the invitation of County Wicklow Farmers the first Conference of Farmers was held in Hotel St. George, Parnell Square Dublin on 24 September 1936 fourteen Counties were represented. Further meetings were arranged to discuss constitution and rules which would best help to give us a sound organisation, as many as seventeen counties being present at our meetings. Realising the urgent necessity for a Central Organisation that would unite all existing Farmers’ Associations with a view to closer co-operation between farmers for the benefit of the industry, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was established on 3rd March 1937 and was registered as a Trade Union on 27th April 1937. Being a registered trade union it is strictly non-political and non-sectarian. Membership is open to all farmers and farm labourers who accept its rules.

The reason we registered as a Trade Union was to ensure it would be non-political and to have the protection of the Trade Union Acts, under which we had the right to hold public meetings and express our grievances, a thing we found very necessary to do at the time, as owing to the censorship of the Press the true position of the Agricultural Industry was being withheld from the public, and we were the victims of grave injustices.

It will be understood that there are many different Farming Associations such as Grain Growers, Beet Growers, Milk Producers, Pigs Producers etc. but the great majority of farmers carry on mixed farming, a little of everything, and farmers had no central organisation, and we knew how one section of the farming industry could be played off against another section as long as the farmers were kept divided into sectional organisations.

Now if agriculture is to prosper it must be treated as a whole and not divided into sections, therefore the Irish Farmers’ Federation acts like the hub of a wheel. It is the binding link not alone between the various Associations but between the various Counties.

The Main Objects of the Federation Are: To consolidate all other Farmers’ Associations. This Federation is to be a Council of Agriculture representing all branches of the Industry, to act in a consultative and advisory capacity to, and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture. To voice the considered opinions of the farmers and to forward their interests. Fixity of Tenure. Fair prices for farm produce based on cost of production. Full de-rating of agricultural land and farm buildings. Re-adjustment of Loan Credit Charges and better credit facilities for farmers. Fair representation for farmers on all national legislative and administrative bodies, and the election by the organised farmers of the State of a majority of their members on all Boards dealing directly with agriculture. Adequate compensation for Economic War losses.

Affiliation of County Associations

Each County Association pays a fixed sum to the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation and elect their own representative to the National Executive. We found in organising the various Counties that they all liked to work under their own name such as Cavan Farmers’ Trade Union, Monaghan Farmers’ Federation, County Dublin Farmers’ Association, etc., while they affiliated with the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Then there were a few Counties which never affiliated, but kept in touch with the Federation and were willing to give their full co-operation if needed.

It was our rule to hold monthly meetings of the National Executive and after getting the considered opinions of the farmers from the various counties to send forward our recommendation to the Government and in particular to the Minister for Agriculture, on the successful carrying out of the agricultural policy. Unfortunately the Minister did not act on our advice when offered, with the consequent result that farmers could not continue producing certain agricultural commodities at uneconomic prices so we were forced to considerably reduce our productions, the result being the rationing of certain commodities of which we previously had an exportable surplus.

Organisation was carried on all the time under difficulties, we had several general elections, also County Council election and Presidential election all these help to distract farmers from the importance of their own organisation.

Then on the outbreak of the war in 1939, we were faced with a huge Compulsory Tillage Order. Well knowing our inability to produce the maximum of food owing to our impoverished position after the Economic War, in which our farmers’ losses can safely be estimated at not less than three hundred million pounds. Our farmers were without capital, equipment or credit, so unless they got help from the Government they could not carry out their duty to the nation as they wished to do. We sent deputations to the Minister for Agriculture and to An Taoiseach Mr. de Valera. We gave him full details of the farmers’ position and requested him to give us the following reliefs to enable us to pull our full weight in increasing food production. 1) To consult the farmers before making any agreements regarding prices of our livestock and produce for export. 2) A moratorium on Arrears of Annuities and Rates which had accumulated during the Economic War years. 3) To call off the Sheriffs. 4) To make credit available.

We were very disappointed when An Taoiseach refused to comply with any of our requests. He mentioned that [we] could not go on strike like other Trade Unions. When we reported back to our National Executive the unsympathetic attitude of An Taoiseach they were very disappointed. We expected help and co-operation in our efforts to feed the Nation.

In order to get publicity for our grievances, we just had to get publicity, we called a Strike from 18th November to the 1st. December 1939, during which time the farmers responded willingly to the call for action and there was a complete standstill of all fairs and markets in many Counties and the Dublin Cattle Market was closed for two weeks.

It was our procedure in organising Counties, to hold public meetings on fair days in the larger towns and to hold demonstrations.

We gave evidence before most of the Commissions set up from time to time. There was a feeling amongst some of our members that owing to the repeated refusal of the Government to act on our advice, and seeing the way the agriculture output was dwindling that the farmers should try other means to redress their grievances, and several were anxious that the Federation should change its rules and form a political body. After grave consideration it was decided that we should remain a Trade Union.

That our decision was wise can be appreciated, when it was possible at a later date to have a deputation received by the late Cardinal Joseph MacRory and the Hierarchy at Maynooth when we placed the true position of the farmers before them. We also sent copies of the memorandum which we placed before the Hierarchy to the Heads of the other Churches in Ireland.

The Future

The land and the people who work it are the Nation’s greatest asset, and who are better able to direct the food production of the Nation than the practical farmers. In drawing up plans for the future of agriculture in Ireland the first essential is to see that we set up a plan that will have a true Christian outlook, and we must ask ourselves, are we going to plan just what will suit the farmers best as the most economical way of making money out of the land to enrich themselves, or are we going to use the beautiful fertile land for the purpose for which God gave it to us, namely to provide to the fullest possible extent for the requirements of our people. If we take the true Christian outlook, it will necessitate making many drastic changes in the present so-called economic and financial system, but if, in so doing, we achieve our objects and bring forth a healthy prosperous agricultural community the end will have justified the means.

Agriculture is and always will be our main industry. It has been sacrificed on the altar of political achievement, and for the setting up of a lop-sided industrial policy. We need a revolution of the whole economic and social policy of the country. It is useless to plan for agriculture unless the economic and social policy is changed. The organisation of agriculture as the main industry deliberately planned to produce so much of this, so much of that, and the other agricultural commodity. The old anarchy of each farmer producing regardless of what others were producing and each being at the mercy of particular surpluses and combines which “kill the price” must go. A guaranteed market free from disruption and destruction by unregulated foreign imports and financial interests. A guaranteed price sufficient to give the farmer and his family a reasonable return, and the workers an adequate wage for efficient production.

If we admit that agriculture is a wealth producing service, we should agree that its development in this country is all important. Not only must we keep the people on the land, but we must also bring many people back to the land. It is only too well known that the land has been sadly neglected during the past 30 years, it has been mined rather than farmed.

We must build up the fertility of the soil again, and as the soil will repay according to the treatment given, it will repay for any credit given to increase agricultural output. From all over the world we have reports of Soil Erosion, and we have the statements from the Hot Springs Conference “that there never has been sufficient food in the world for all the people to have an adequate diet,” therefore we should beware of “false surpluses,” we even have them at home at times, because our people have not enough money in their pockets to enable them to pay for all they require to keep them healthy and strong.

Our members gave much time to the study of economic and financial matters as they effected other countries and compared with ours. In view of the advantages which other countries enjoyed, the following resolution was passed and sent to the Government as long ago as 1942: “That no substantial or lasting benefit can come to farmers without National Monetary Control.”

We have closely followed the activities of the Farmers’ Action Council of England and the Economic Reform Club and Institute of England in their efforts to have the present financial system changed, and they hold that finance is at the root of farming difficulties, with which view we concur and hold that the right to issue money and credit should be restored to the Parliament of the Country and recognised as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility.

We should aim at increased food production so that all our own people will get sufficient good healthy food grown from our own land, and after the requirements of the Home market are filled we can export the surplus. If the surplus is not sufficient to exchange for the imports we need (no country can be wholly self-sufficient) we can produce more for the export market. The Home Market is the only one where you can regulate the price you will receive for your goods.

We welcome the recent decision of the Minister for Agriculture to set up a Costings Committee to inquire into the cost of production of the various agricultural products. We have been agitating for such a Board for a long time. Better late than never.

Let us see that we are paid a Just Price for our own produced food and ensure that we have healthy soil, healthy food and therefore healthy people. In conclusion we again ask the Government to Free the National Credit in order to carry out the following essentials to a prosperous agriculture. To Close the Price-Gap. To stop restriction of production. Stop the Taxation ramp and finance the post-war reconstruction effort. What is physically possible must be made financially possible. Consumption should control production and production should control finance.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation is at all times willing to co-operate wholeheartedly with the Government of the day in any measures for the betterment of the Agricultural Industry in Ireland.

The first President of the Irish Farmers’ Federation was Mr. William J. Davis, Leabeg, Newcastle, County Wicklow, who carried on dairying and mixed farming. Second President: Mr. John F. Conaty, Annagelliff, Cavan, who farmed about 30 acres and who devoted much time to organising the County Cavan farmers. Third President: Mr. John J. O’Kennedy, Punchestown House, Rathmore, Naas, County Kildare, carried on Dairy farming. Fourth President: Mr. Richard Hipwell, Ballybrittae, Leix, a tillage farmer. Fifth President: Mr. John Rooney, Ellistown, Ballyboughal, County Dublin, carries out mixed farming and tillage.

For the past nine years we have worked consistently for better conditions for the agricultural community as a whole, and it looks as if our work was now going to bear fruits. At least we have hopes from the recognition by those not engaged in Agriculture, to the importance of a prosperous agriculture in the National Economy.

The sad part of it is, that instead of listening to the voice of the farmers and giving them the necessary means to full production which we have been asking for since 1939, it has taken the decline in certain of our agricultural production such as butter, bacon, eggs, oats, etc., to bring home to the non-agriculturalists the study of the causes for such decline.

While you see various groups such as Banks, Industrial Companies, etc., at their Annual Meetings stating that there has been a great rise in the prosperity amongst farmers, we farmers cannot hold with those views. While we welcome the rise in prices for cattle, they were long overdue, other sections of production have not enjoyed the same uprise during the year. While many of our prices were controlled at last years’ figures, our costs of production which includes Rates and Transport charges were increased.

While farmers may have handled more money, it was soon snatched up by demands for arrears of debts of Rates, Annuities and Bank debts, so that the farmer had nothing to put into production.

During the year the Federation made representation to the Minister for Agriculture on the following matters, the price for Seed Oats in the spring, the uneconomic price fixed for oats at harvest time, the difficulty experienced in getting bran pollard in some parts of the country and the necessity for a more even distribution of it, the prices for wool for the 1945 and 1946 clips, Agricultural Wages, the unsatisfactory prices being paid by the British Government for our Fat Cattle and many other items which effect the everyday life of farmers.

We have made representation to the Government to the necessity to enact legislation to fix a maximum economic and just level above which Rates cannot be increased, pending de-rating of agricultural land.

There is no reason why the Government can not do this, and every reason why they should do it, seeing that the prices for our produce are fixed and Agricultural Wages are fixed.

During the year we have been in communication with the Farmers’ Unions of England and Scotland with a view to meeting them to discuss future trade with them, as it would be to the benefit of both countries if such discussion took place between producers as to the types and ages of livestock most suitable for export.

However, it seems from the reply from the Scotch Farmers’ Union that all trade agreements are matters for the politicians and must be dealt with by their respective Governments.

We have co-operated with the Federation of Irish Beekeepers in an endeavour to give publicity to the harmful effects of the indiscriminative use of DDT and similar sprays if used on flowering trees etc. DDT is deadly to Bees and Insects which play such an important part in the pollination of plants, and now that we are extending Seed Growing anything to hinder that must be avoided.

During the year we have been invited to address meetings in County Monaghan, and I have been invited to speak at several large meetings in Dublin and at Rural Week, at all such meetings I put the plain facts before the public.

Some farmers who do not attend Executive Meetings may wonder what the Federation is doing, or is it recognised at all. If it were not recognised, I would not be invited to address these meetings. We still have a very great handicap by a domestic censorship, particularly by the Dublin Daily papers, it is not very often the farmers send letters to the Press but if these letters contain some home truths which may hit the other fellows hard, there is never any space available to publish them, while the other fellows can get half a page to make accusations against the farmer.

For that reason we published during the year our first book “The Future of Agriculture in Ireland” written in plain language by farmers for farmers. I am happy to say that it received very good sale and excellent publicity, and I have not yet seen any adverse criticism of it, indeed many Institutions which got copies of the book were very much impressed with the articles and in particular with the Christian outlook and objects of the Federation.

Last July we held a special meeting when we had an address from Lieutenant-Colonel James Creagh Scott, DSO, OBE chairman of the Farmers’ Action Council of England, on Finance and the Control of the National Credit, and the necessity for the present financial system to be changed from private ownership (viz. under the control of the Bank of England by the 1694 Tonnage Act and 1844 Bank Charter Act) he said the State should have power to create new money based on the National Credit what we can produce there can be no inflation.

The importance for organisation and the need for a central organisation cannot be too often stressed, we are the people who must direct the future of agriculture therefore I appeal to you in every county to keep up a strong organisation, hold your meetings, and keep in constant communication with the Irish Farmers’ Federation National Executive.

Remember that while the food scarcity lasts in Europe it will be easy for us to find markets and good prices, but if we are not organised in a few years time when other countries get their agriculture going again, we will be the sufferers, we have crashed in on the fertility of our soil, but we have saved our population from knowing what it is to be hungry.

Our farmers must not be let down. The members of your Executive have studied the position of agriculture in other countries, and if any of you have read some of the excellent books published recently such as “The Living Soil” by Lady Eve Balfour and “The Natural Order” by H. J. Massingham you will understand how very serious the World food supply is, and will be for many years.

If we have surpluses, they are only artificial surpluses, not because people don’t want our food, but because they have not got the money to pay for it. Money Must be used for Distribution and not for Profit and Power. We must keep on spreading the light.

I cannot conclude this report without reference to the very great loss the farmers suffered during the year by the death of Cardinal Joseph MacRory, we lost a real friend and one who understood the position of our agriculture.

It may be well to recall here, that on one occasion on which we interviewed the late Cardinal, we mentioned to him the necessity for a change in our present financial system, and he replied “he could not understand why our Government had not taken control of the Credit of the Country long ago.” We knew then we were on the right track and have given that point much study.

I think the year 1946 will be remembered in history as the year that did more than anything else to bring the people of Ireland back to reality, and made them realise the importance of the land and the farmers.

We held eight meetings of the National Executive and attended conferences at the Department of Agriculture during the year at which we stressed the necessity for higher prices for our produce owing to increased costs of production. We pointed out that while agricultural wages had been increased from 4s 0d to 9s 0d in the different counties, we had got no increase in the prices of grain milk or beet, and if the prices fixed for these produce was fair to both consumer and producer in 1944 and 1945 they could not be regarded as fair now to the Producer when his production costs had been increased by higher wages and in many counties also by higher Rates on agricultural land.

The very bad weather in July and August made it imperative that extra help must be provided for the farmers or much of the harvest would be lost, so we appealed to the Government on 4th September to make the necessary help available, by releasing men from the County Councils and the Army and we also appealed to private employers where possible to release their staffs.

We are glad to record our grateful thanks to the huge number of rims who released their staffs to come out to help us save the grain crops. We also wish to record our appreciation to the Irish Red Cross Society which helped so much in trying to provide rations for these volunteer workers. Without all their help, much more of the grain crops would have been lost.

On the 2nd of October we had an interview with the Minister for Agriculture (having been waiting a month for the interview) when we stressed the necessity for a better price for wheat, as farmers were suffering great losses by being cut for having a high moisture content in the grain, and also the necessity to do everything possible to ensure a supply of good seed wheat for next year. We also pointed out the danger of a milk famine during the winter to country towns, we suggested that a flat Beet-Freight rate be struck for the whole country, and that private lorries be permitted to take wheat to the Mills and so expedite the carriage of grain and not have it deteriorating in the sacks after threshing.

As usual we got a very sympathetic hearing but the only immediate help we got was that County Council workers would be allowed to continue to help at the harvest when the other volunteers were withdrawn, and we were promised a rise of 5s 0d a barrel on barley for 1947.

As we know well the misleading propaganda that high prices for agricultural produce are to blame for the high cost of living, we asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce in July to immediately investigate the Cost of Production and Distribution of Boots and Clothes which are essentials.

The result is that the tariffs have been removed off Boots and Clothes and both Wholesaler and Retailer profit margins have been reduced.

One of the most important matters dealt with during the year, was in co-operation with the Cork Farmers’ Association and other Agricultural Associations in forming the Irish Primary Producers Association, with a view to affiliating with the International Federation of Agricultural Producers which was established in London in May 1946, when farmers from 31 nations met for that purpose.

The aims of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers are: To promote the well-being of all who obtain their livelihood from the land. To exchange information and ideas. To co-operate with international organisations on any matter affecting the interests of farmers.

It is hoped that through the international Federation of Agricultural Producers to maintain farmers all over the world in constant touch with each other through their own producers organisations.

Only through such an International Federation can we hope to find some Plan to avoid the slumps that occurred after the last war, we hope that the year 1947 will see a big drive in every county in Ireland to build up a strong organisation of farmers so that we can take our place in the International Federation of Agricultural Producers.

It may be well to remind farmers that at the Hot Springs Conference in Virginia in 1943, at which 44 Nations attended and agreed that there never had been sufficient food produced in the world for all the peoples of the world to have an adequate diet, and if the Freedom from Want is to be a reality, something must be done to see that food is distributed to those in need. This Conference was followed by the formation of the Food and Agricultural Organisation which met in Quebec in 1945, (FAO is set up under the UNO).

These Conferences were between representatives of Governments, but their decisions intimately affect the work and responsibilities of the Primary Producers in every Country.

In conclusion I know I voice your opinions when I say that we very deeply regret to see our population trying to exist on such meagre rations of butter, sugar, bread, etc. when we know only too well that if the advice given by our Federation during the past six years had been heeded, this state of affairs would not have happened, we have often been told that the Government have not the money to grant farmers higher prices, etc. But what has it cost the country by Not Helping Agriculture?

Any money put into increased agricultural production is increasing the wealth of the nation.

Let us look forward to better times in 1947 and with better transport we hope every county will make a new effort to speed up organisation.

I shall end by stating that while our finances are on the right side we cannot advance much unless we are provided with the necessary funds to enable us to go into the different counties to meet and instruct the farmers on the value of organisation.

It was on the invitation of the Irish Farmers’ Federation that thirty-six Devonshire farmers, members of the NFU came to visit Eire for the Spring Show week. Briefly I give you a resumé of their trip.1

Arriving at Dun Laoghaire 6th May at 6 am they were met and welcomed by Executive members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation who also made all arrangements for their stay. They spent all Tuesday at the Royal Dublin Society and were welcomed on arrival by members of the RDS Agricultural Committee.

On Wednesday morning they visited the Dublin Cattle Marked, Store Sales and Abbatoir. In the afternoon some went to the RDS while others went to Phoenix Park races.

On Thursday they travelled by bus to visit farms in County Dublin and County Louth, Mr. John Rooney, president of the IFF, and Mr. McAllister, County Dublin, travelling with them. On arrival in Drogheda they were met by Mr. S. Feehan and Mr. Frank Jeffers and after lunch they visited Messrs. Clarke Jeffers’ Cattle Sales. They arrived back in Dublin in time to attend the Abbey Theatre where they very much enjoyed the play, “They Got What They Wanted.”

On Friday they visited Glendalough and farms in County Wicklow, but heavy rain made it impossible to visit all the farms as arranged, so a very enjoyable two hours was spent over a homely tea at Ashford where the party was joined by local members of the IFF.

Saturday was spent around Dublin and at RDS and they were the guests of the IFF at a farewell lunch. They returned on the Saturday evening boat. The object of the visit was to try and establish a closer friendship and co-operation between the farmers of the two countries.

In conclusion I can assure you that our members were delighted to meet their neighbours from Devonshire and the general comment one hears is “they were a grand lot of fellows – real farmers” and we look forward to meeting them again.

1 - A similar text was published in the Westmeath Examiner, 28.06.1947 and the Wicklow People, 21.06.1947.

Agricultural Price Index 1

Sir. In the Irish Independent of January 9, 1947, a short paragraph appeared under the heading: “Agricultural Prices Steady.” The article states: “Agricultural prices continue to remain relatively steady. The index figure for November was 197 (base 100 August, 1939), compared with 196 in October and 197 in November, 1945. The average price for 1945 was 190, compared with 139 in 1941. The average for 1946 promises to be some points above 1945. The cost of living index figure for November, 1946, was 293, compared with 298 for November, 1945.”

It must be remembered that in stating the Agricultural Price Index the base is now taken as from 1938, based at 100, but the fact is not disclosed that the 1938 Agricultural Price Index base is on a par with the agricultural prices of 1914.

Now, while all other sections of the community, as is well known, advanced their position as regards wages, salaries, and standard of living from 1914, they never reverted back again to the 1914 figures, but continued to advance from their 1938 index base. Therefore, farmers are only getting an advance on the 1914 price index base, which was almost the lowest in the history of the industry.

I understand that the original price index figures were taken from the 1911/12/13 years, which were very difficult years for farmers, and considering the country had just come through an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease, and that prices had dropped heavily and markets were uncertain, it was a case of farmers having to take any price that was offered to them for their stock. It is hard to imagine that anyone who could claim to represent farming could have anything to do with the selection of those years as a basis for agricultural prices.

As the farmers’ cost of production (which includes cost of living, agricultural wages, and rates on agricultural land) have increased by hundreds per cent since 1938 (not to mention 1914, the farmers’ prices base in reality), it is only fair that, when giving the Agricultural Price Index figures, the cost of production figures should also be given. We farmers only demand fair play.

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

1 - The same letter was published in the Offaly Chronicle, 13.02.1947.

Agricultural Prices

Sir. On January 9th, 1947, an article appeared in the daily Press headed "Agricultural Prices Steady." It said: "Agricultural prices continue to remain relatively steady. The index figure for November was 197 (base 100, August, 1939), compared with 196 in October, and 197 in November, 1945. The average price for 1945 was 190, compared with 139 in 1941, and the cost of living figure for November, 1946, was 293, compared with 298 for November, 1945."

Naturally, most people, on reading the above, will think the farmers are doing very well. But here are the facts: The agricultural price index base is now taken as from 1938, base at 100. But the fact is not disclosed that the 1938 agricultural price index base is on a par with the agricultural prices of 1914.

Therefore, farmers are only getting an advantage on the 1914 price index base, when prices were almost at the lowest point in the history of the industry.

As farmers' cost of production (which include cost of living, agricultural wages and rates on agricultural land) have increased by hundreds per cent since 1938, not to mention 1914, the farmers' price base in reality, it is only fair that when giving the agricultural price index figures, the cost of production figures should also be given.

We farmers only demand fair play. Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers' Federation, Wicklow, February 3rd, 1947.

Reply To Mr. Frame

Elizabeth F. Bobbett (General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation), in the course of a letter, writes: I have been asked by Mr. Walter Kerr, chairman of the Barndarrig Ploughing Match Committee, and other farmers, to reply to Mr. Frame’s most unjust statements. Mr. D. D. Frame owns a farm and professes to take a kindly interest in farming matters, even acting as chairman to Rathdown Ploughing Committee, at which annual dinner he will shortly preside. It ill behoves him to go behind closed doors to insult and unjustly attack the farmers.

Mr. Frame is such a clever businessman he must be also a clever farmer. We challenge him to produce his farm accounts for the past ten years, and show his profits; they may be substantial, as he being also an industrialist did not lack capital and equipment as did most “plain farmers.”

Another point to note is that Mr. Frame’s industry can guard against losses. When his coal supply is cut short he can shut his factory and dismiss hundreds of employees, but when the farmers are faced with a stoppage in their industry, such as the present period of four weeks’ snow and frost, they cannot close down their factories and dismiss their staffs. They have to keep men employed under most difficult and harassing conditions to carry food to the animals in the stables and in the fields, and suffer many losses in live stock and crops. Were the farmers to sit down till the snow was gone, the food situation would soon be felt by town dwellers.

Last, but not least, were it not for the work of the farmers and their employees in producing such a huge amount of exportable wealth there would be no imports to keep Mr. Frame’s industry working.

Farming Outlook 1

Sir. 1847 was regarded as “Black 47" when the potato crop failed in Ireland. This year, 1947, has been hailed as "White ’47," because we are experiencing the worst snow storm and the longest period of hard frost for over half a century. Owing to the blizzard which swept the country the Annual Convention of the Irish Farmers' Federation, fixed for 26th February, had to be postponed, and I have been asked by several of our Executive members to issue a note of warning on the serious position of our food supply for 1947/48.

At the present moment, with five weeks' snow still covering a very large area of the country, it would be impossible to even make a rough estimate of the losses in livestock alone that the farmers will suffer. Sheep will be dead in their thousands, and hundreds of ewes wintered on the lowland pastures, even though some may have got a share of handfeeding during the snow will be so weak that the losses at lambing will be heavy. Cattle are dying in many districts through lack of fodder and lack of water, all water supplies being frozen over and in places covered with deep snow drifts. We all know that the continued wet weather since last harvest delayed ploughing of land during the winter. and very little had been ploughed up to mid-January except in very dry districts. Now when sowing time is at hand, we have the whole winter and spring’s work to overtake in a few weeks, truly an impossibility.

Many of us believe that the potato crop will be our main source of food goodly for the next twelve months; but it is an expensive crop to grow, and we urge the Minister for Agriculture seriously to consider the position and give a subsidy of £10 per acre on all potatoes grown, as is given to the farmers in Northern Ireland, and therefore ensure a sufficiency of food for the population.

The planting of potatoes enjoys a far longer period than any other crop, so our advice to the farmers of Ireland (who have never failed to do their duty to the nation) is: grow more spuds and save the Nation.

In conclusion, we advise everyone who has a garden or can get an allotment to grow the maximum of vegetables this year and cut out flower-growing – you cannot eat them. The outlook was never more serious.

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

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Times, 02.03.1947.

The County Secretary read the following letter received from the General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation: Springfield, Kilbride: Can we have De-Rating?

Sir. In the Dáil on 13th November, 1946, during the Second Reading of the Rates on Agricultural Land Relief Bill, which was passed, Mr. Sean MacEntee, Minister for Local Government, said: “Every acre of Agricultural Land would be rated, but the rates would be paid by the Community as a whole. De-rating of Agricultural Land meant shifting the burden to somebody else. The present measure gave no concession to the demand for de-rating or partial de-rating. The small farmer was entitled to all the relief that could be afforded to him.”

We Farmers know only too well that any increased taxation placed on other sections of the Community finally come back to be taken from the farmer in either prices for all he needs to buy (which includes wages) or lower prices for what he has to sell.

Recently, I understand from reports in the daily Press, a series of tables have been issued by the Government showing the trend of Local Taxation and the expenditure of Local Bodies over a number of years from 1st April, 1932, to 31st March, 1944. One table in the series shows the amount of Rates collected by each rating authority. There was between 1933 and 1944 an increase of £3,000,000.

Now the gross indebtedness of local authorities on 31st March, 1944, was stated to be 37½ millions. In the past two years we know this figure must have increased.

Can we have De-rating for all? Now I ask every ratepayer, no matter whether he is a farmer, a shopkeeper, professional man or a labourer, to carefully study the following facts and then unite in a demand to put a stop to such usury. We should demand that each County Council, Urban Council and City Corporation should publish officially the following information: 1) the amount of Local Bank Loans; 2) the amount of Interest collected through the Rates each year paid on these Loans. Then let us all demand that “all Local Bank Loans be converted into non-interest-bearing Loans.” You would find that the present high Rates would be reduced to about half.

You may ask how can this be done, or would it be fair to the Banks which lend the money.

The fact is that the Banks do not lend money belonging to their shareholders or depositors. Under the present Financial system Banks create money out of nothing, using as securing the credit of the people, their ability to produce.

Large borrowings, such as Loans to Public Bodies, are conducted, under the provisions of the 1694 and 1844 Acts, the money is created by entering a credit in a Bank Ledger and cheques are drawn on these entries, thus enabling the Nation, Public Bodies or clients to spend money when they could not do so before the entries were made.

People must realise the difference between borrowings in Cash and borrowings by Credit.

For all Public Works, the people of Ireland should get the Government to instruct the Banks to create the money free of Bank-debt, paying to the Banks a fee through the rates of half of one per cent. for the book-keeping services rendered, but not Interest.

Our present Minister for Finance is to be congratulated for his first advance to this problem when he decided to make money available to Public Bodies at 2½ per cent., but he should not interfere with the poor man’s savings; he can do much better by an Act of Parliament which won’t hurt anyone.

We ask the Secretaries of each County Council, Urban Council and City Corporation to place this letter before their Councils for consideration at an early date.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, 52/’47.

It was proposed by Councillor Charles W. Hudson; seconded by Councillor Wallace Hammond: That we request the Government to introduce legislation providing for the de-rating of agricultural land.

A vote having been called for, it was found that the members present voted as follows: In Favour: Councillors James J. McCrea, Wallace Hammond, B. Farrell, P. P. O’Reilly, Charles W. Hudson and W. Clarke: 6. Against: Councillors P. McCarthy, Thomas Brennan, TD; P. Doyle, J. O’Reilly, P. Ledwidge, S. Dunne, W. Lawless, James Everett, TD; Christopher M. Byrne and Joseph Jacob: 10.

The Tillage Drive

Sir. The greatest encouragement the farmers have got in the tillage drive is God's blessing of fine weather. Without it, all would be in vain. While the fullest use is being made of all available tractors and horses and machinery, and the sowing of spring wheat has started in East Wicklow, many farmers are held up in their tillage operations through lack of the usual machinery, as the "less fortunate" farmers have not all their own necessary equipment, viz. ploughs, zig-zag harrows or corn drills, and all their neighbours are working full time; so there are none to hire or lend. Even the best-equipped farms are short of extra horses; to work extra long hours you would need to change horses.

Many farmers have suffered such heavy losses during the snowstorm that they have not the hay or oats to feed an extra horse, and their own horses (if they have survived the snow storm) are too weak to do much work. Last but not least is lack of finance. Tractor sets will eventually be able to reach many farms where work is at present held up through lack of machinery and finance, but who will guarantee to pay the tractor man, and who will provide the seed?

What is our Department of Agriculture doing to get such farms cropped?

The longer the sowing is delayed, the greater is the risk of having a crop failure, a serious loss to both farmer and nation. I think it could be safely estimated that one out of every three farmers is at the moment held up from proceeding with the tillage drive while waiting either for tractor sets, or till his neighbour can lend a plough, harrow, or corn drill, etc. It must be remembered that farmers are trying to fit five months' of work into five weeks, and it is heartbreaking to farmers to be unable to proceed with the tilling when the weather is now good.

Appeals have been made through the Press for the fullest co-operation in helping the tillage drive, but so far, it has only been talk. Many parish committees have been formed to try and help; I happen to be secretary to our local committee. We asked to Government to grant extra bread ration for farmers and farm workers, and specially for tractor drivers, for the immediate weeks. The Minister for Industry and Commerce replied that they would grant extra bread ration for farmers and farm workers, and specially for tractor drivers, for the immediate weeks. The Minister for Industry and Commerce replied that they would grant extra rations for crews of tractors, and we were told to submit the names and full particulars of tractor owners. In due course, tractor owners got a form to fill up, and several of them have since told me they have received a notice saying they would not be entitled to extra bread ration.

How many city workers or civil servants are willing to work all night on a tractor without getting a meal, and what can he get only a cup of tea and bread? We are asked to keep tractors working every hour. This cannot be done unless an extra bread ration is given, so that food can be brought to the tractor men, who will be long distances away from farmhouses and many miles away from their homes.

Why not put the Army out to help? Send teams of Army horses, equipped with the necessary harness, and a harrow or plough to every parish, and send baled hay with them for the horses. Send the soldiers out to follow them, and let them bring their field kitchens with them. Even in some parishes the extra horses would be a great help.

As I write this letter I can look out my window, looking over a part of the parish of Barndarrig. I can see hundreds of acres of ploughed land, and not a horse working on it, all ready to be arrowed. The work is of national importance. Surely the Government can send the Army horses and men to help? The farmer and his staff can only tackle one field at a time. Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers' Federation.

Our Readers Are Writing. Milk And Butter

Sir. Our farmers are often blamed for not keeping higher yielding cows and not feeding them well as an excuse to cover up the two-ounce butter ration. Quite recently we have had published some official figures of production of powdered milk which was produced and exported, but we have not seen the figures of what quantity of condensed milk was manufactured and how much exported. 31,680 cwts of powdered milk, equal to 11,300 cwts of butter, were produced in 1946, of which 21,176 cwts powdered milk, were exported.

In 1939, the peak year for the production of butter, we produced 718,279 cwts, of which 223,501 cwts were exported, leaving 494,778 cwts for home consumption. In 1946 we produced 551,601 cwts butter, and, except for 20,000 cwts sent to relieve distress in Europe, none was exported, leaving us a surplus over the 1939 home consumption figure of 36,823 more cwts for the home market. Where did it go? Will the Minister tell us how much of the milk supplied to creameries in 1946 was used as follows: 1) In the manufacture of butter; 2) In the manufacture of powdered milk; 3) In the manufacture of condensed milk; 4) In the manufacture of cheese; and 5) Supplied to Dublin wholesalers for consumption. And what was the relative profit to the creameries on, say, 1,000 gallons milk so disposed of under each of the five classes as stated.

The remedy to sufficient butter is to pay the producers of milk supplying cities and towns an economic price for their milk and also pay an economic price to farmers supplying milk to the creameries that will cover their production costs which includes labour.

If butter cannot be produced and sold retail at a price within the capacity of the general public to pay, we ask the Minister for Agriculture to consult with the Minister for Finance and have a compensated price paid to retailers to sell butter at an economic price. Such money necessary can be provided by making an issue of National Credit interest-free, the security for which would be the increased production of butter and livestock which would result.

While we welcome the increase in price announced for milk supplied to creameries we fully understand that under the present financial control our Government has only two ways of getting money, viz., by taxation and by borrowing at interest, neither very helpful to the community. While if the Government had the power to authorise the issue of the necessary credit to meet the needed subsidy on the production of butter, it could be interest-free. These food subsidies are often claimed as being given to help the farmer, it is more correct to say they are given to make food prices to the consumer reasonable.

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

Wool Price Notice. 1

The Irish Farmers’ Federation advice all farmers not to accept less than 2/6 a lb for Wool, as last year it was bought up late in the season from 2/6 to 2/9 a lb.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Independent, 07.06.1947.

Wicklow Lady’s Appreciation Of Councillor T. Lynch’s Speech On Bacon Industry

Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, Wicklow, writes: Mr. T. Lynch, TC, is to be congratulated on his statement before the Waterford Chamber of Commerce relative to the crisis in the pigs and bacon industry, when he said “it was due to the fact that the Pigs and Bacon Commission and the Pigs and Marketing Board had never at any time considered the producer or the cost of production.”

This is the major point, because producers cannot continue to produce at a loss, and everyone knows the farmers’ costs of production have risen constantly and considerably during the past few years. Still, I feel that the bacon factories have a large amount of responsibility for the shortage of bacon at the moment.

While farmers are accused of selling their pigs in the black market to pork butchers, it would be interesting to know how many bacon factories were now engaged in killing pigs and selling them as pork to pork butchers instead of converting them into bacon; perhaps this is one of the reasons why some bacon factories cannot supply their consumers with their quota of bacon.

Another point that might throw some light on the matter is the profits derived from the manufacture and sales of sausages.

As a producer and a consumer, I think it is strange to see the finest of pork pigs chopped up for sausages while customers are refused even a pork chop. Of course, the farmer is blamed for demanding high prices; but I happened to call into a pork shop in the vicinity of Dublin a little while ago, and purchased a piece of streaky pork commonly called “belly pork”. (Living in a country district I had been unable to get a rasher for weeks). I asked how much a pound was the belly pork and was told 2/8 – that they had to pay any price that was asked for pigs now they were so scarce. Of course, the assistant thought I was a townie. I replied: “That is strange, as in my part of the country we have almost to beg the butchers to come out and buy our pigs.” That very week the agent for one of the Bacon factories who buys pigs by weight about eight miles from me, had told me he could not buy pigs under 16 stones weight. Up to this, it was pigs between 8 stones and 16 stones that were wanted.

In conclusion, I wish to state that unless farmers are assured of an economic price based on the cost of production and a long term agreement, I see little hope for increased pig production. Let us hope that commonsense will prevail over the “fictitious money” values. Not so many years ago our farmers were denied an economic price for their sugar beet crop, as it would have meant raising the price of sugar from 2½d to 3d a lb; but we had as much as we wanted then. Now the price of sugar is 6d, and we are rationed to ¼ lb. Let it not be the same with bacon.

English Farmers Visit Eire 1

Accepting an invitation from the Irish Farmers’ Federation, thirty-six farmers, members of Devonshire branches of the NFU, came over for the RDS Spring Show and to visit farms in different counties. The arrangements for their visit were made by the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Hotel accommodation was secured at two hotels in Dun Laoghaire. Briefly we give a resume of their trip and below we give their impressions of Eire.

The party arrived at Dun Laoghaire on 6th May, at 6 am being met and welcomed on the pier by members of the IFF. Having breakfasted, they left to spend the long day at the RDS show and were welcomed there by members of the RDS committee. Wednesday they visited Dublin Cattle, Market and Store Sales, also the Abbatoir, in the afternoon some attended the RDS while others went to Phoenix Park Races. Thursday they travelled by bus to visit farms in County Dublin and County Louth, lunching at Drogheda, and visiting Messrs Clarke and Jeffers’ Cattle Sales, returning to Dublin in time to attend a theatre. Friday they visited Glendalough and farms in County Wicklow, but heavy rain made some of the proposed visits impossible, so the party spent two hours over a very homely tea at Ashford where several of the local members of the IFF came to join them. Saturday they spent around Dublin and were entertained to a lunch by the IFF and they returned on Saturday evening’s boat. The object of the visit was to try and establish a closer friendship and co-operation between the farmers of the two countries.

In conclusion I can say that farmers were delighted to meet their neighbours from Devonshire, “a grand lot of fellows, real farmers,” is the comment everywhere, and we look forward to meeting them again.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett. General Secretary, IFF, Wicklow.

1 - A similar text was published in: Irish Farmers’ Federation, Farming in Ireland, Yearbook 1947, pp. 48.

A Dhuine Uasail. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Four Courts Hotel Dublin on 16th instant, the following resolutions were passed unanimously and I was directed to send a copy to the Government and to each of the Political Parties.

1. That we protest against the unjust and unfair interest rate of 4½ per cent on loans to Farmers when the Government provides money for housing at 2½ per cent. We ask that the charges to Farmers for such loans be immediately reduced to 2½ per cent.

2. That the barrier to the improvement to farm houses in the rural areas whereby it is only those in possession of property under £25 PLV can obtain a reconstruction grant should be removed. We call on the Government to introduce legislation forthwith with a view to enabling those who’s PLV is over £25 to partake of those facilities and thereby improve their residential housing facilities. It must be remembered that farmers are the largest ratepayers in the country and therefore contribute huge sums to provide housing facilities for other sections, while in many instances their own houses are in greater need of repair and reconstruction.

Mise le meas mor, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

The Dollar Crisis

Sir. We hear a lot these days about dollars and sterling – how we must protect sterling, etc. To many it sounds very mysterious. Perhaps some of your readers would give us the following explanations.

We know that dollars and sterling are connected with money. Who invented money? Why was it invented? What is its value? Who controls its value? We know that the produce of the land is valuable. We can eat it, and we can clothe ourselves with it and keep ourselves warm and sheltered. Can we do those things with sterling? If we bury it in the ground, will it produce more?

If sterling and dollars are just a system of accountancy, controlled by a few internationals, surely our legislators are capable of giving us a system of finance to suit the needs of the country. Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow, September, 14th, 1947.

Saving Dollars and the Financial Crisis

All eyes and ears are turned on Britain these days, wondering what will happen when the American loan runs out. As unfortunately, Eire is still tied to the British sterling we are caught in the net too. This “Financial Crisis” may be a blessing in disguise if it makes the people turn back to “reality” and realise that money of itself has no value. The only value money has is what it can do for you, for instance, if you need food, the land is there capable of producing food if it is properly cultivated and stocked, but if the farmers have not the money to pay the necessary labour and buy stock and equipment, it should be the duty of Parliament to see that money is made available to enable the farmers to produce the food, likewise with coal or steel, etc. Do the people of Britain and Eire realise that under the Tonnage Act of 1694 a private money-creating company was formed known as The Bank of England. A provision of that Act is: “The Bank hath interest on all money which it creates out of nothing”. A further Act, the 1844 Bank Charter Act, maintains and intensifies the powers of those who create, issue and control money. All nations copied this system of legalised usury until to-day the whole world is sunk in usurious debt to the International financial system. The Bank of Ireland is tied to it. National Freedom without economic freedom is a myth, and economic freedom is inseparable from Money Control. Surely we in Catholic Ireland should listen to the teachings of our Popes, Leo XIII, and Pius XI, who strongly denounce “the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few,” and take immediate action to save our country from further taxation and want, by demanding that our Government set in motion the necessary legislation to enable them to use the credit of the Nation for the benefit of our people. We know too well how the farmers were exploited after the 1914-18 war. It looks as if the same is about to happen again now. Any price is not too high to pay for imports, while because we have no control over our financial system our own farmers are denied a just price. We are paid 55s. per barrel for Irish wheat, while imported wheat costs 84s., likewise with coal, English consumers had been getting coal in London at around £3 12s 6d a ton, but they had to pay £7 for American coal, while Irish people paid £9 for it. I hope our Government won’t be so foolish as to apply for a separate American loan as is mooted in the Press. We all know that much dollars were wasted on unnecessary luxuries of late.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

A Duine Uasail. I have been directed to forward you a copy of statement and resolutions which were passed at a meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation on 15th instant. Hoping that you will give the matters contained therein your early and earnest attention.

Mise le meas mor, Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary.

A Dhuine Uasail. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Four Courts Hotel Dublin on 26th November 1947 I was directed to send a copy of the statement issued and Resolutions passed, to the Government and to each of the political parties.

I therefore enclose a copy a hope that you will favourably consider the requests contained therein. Mise le meas mor, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Annexe to the letter: The Irish Farmers’ Federation Statement issued from the Meeting Held in Four Courts Hotel Dublin on 26th November 1947. John Rooney presided and the following statement was issued: The Trade Agreement with Britain, we welcome the small increase in price for beef given by Britain it is a benefit to the lower grade beef and it is long overdue, but we consider the new Agreement is a poor Agreement as it is only for a short term, and compares very badly with the agreements made with the British and Northern Ireland farmers. We regret it is only in keeping with the way our farmers have been treated during the war and since. Production from the land in Britain and Northern Ireland has increased steadily during those years both in grain livestock and eggs, while our production of grain milk butter bacon and eggs has declined, which is real proof of the failure of our economic policy of low agricultural prices for those products.

We request that licenses be granted again to the Dutch, Belgian and other foreign buyers of our livestock.

We are still waiting for the publication of the Department of Agriculture Production Costings Figures, surely those figures are available why not in fairness to the farmers publish them.

The following resolutions were passed unanimously.

International Monetary Fund: We view with alarm the statements made by Ministers “that if dollars for the purchase of necessary equipment cannot be made available from current dollar earnings then we are prepared to consider resort to the International Monetary Fund or the International Bank”. We request the Government to give this matter a full debate in the Dail before committing our country to the International Monetary Fund or International Bank.

Christmas Gifts: We request the Government to allow us to send gifts of beef mutton or pork up to 9 lbs per parcel to our relatives and friends in Britain for Christmas. Seeing that hundreds of gifts are coming in to Eire free of licence from America and other countries, and that Eire has sent so much relief to other countries, at least our relatives and friends should not be denied this small amount. Signed Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Springfield Kilbride Wicklow.

A Free Turkey Market

Sir. Owing to the very great expense in rearing a flock of turkeys, and the way the producers have been exploited here for the past number of years, we asked the Minister for Agriculture to give producers a free market this year for their turkeys.

We are sorry to read that he does not intend to do so. We are told that Eire turkeys are to command the same price as British turkeys this year, but we are told that the price we will get here is only 3d a pound more than last year. Of course, with a monopoly for the export of turkeys and the fact that Eggsports Ltd. (the firm with the monopoly) imposes a levy of approximately 9d a lb on our turkeys which they keep to enable them to send cheap eggs to Britain, the Eire producer does not get the British price for her turkeys.

Whatever argument may be used in favour of fixing prices for other commodities, there is to my mind no good argument in favour of fixing turkey prices, except the keeping down in price of a luxury dish to benefit the well-to-do and the rich who can well afford to pay a good price which any one who goes to the trouble of rearing turkeys is well entitled to.

There is no excuse in this case that the poor will be affected, and there is no need for tears if the people in other countries want turkeys, let them pay what they like for them, but give the turkey producers the benefit to which they are justly entitled - a free market.

The fact that we were allowed to send gift turkeys last Christmas was a great help to producers in getting a better price. Even this small concession is denied us this year.

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

Farmers’ Federation

Sir. Recently there have been several letters appearing in the daily and weekly papers urging the farmers to organise, several suggesting new forms of organisation, some concentrating on the price of grain, others concentrating on the high cost of agricultural labour, while the farmers have got no increase in prices for grain (with the exception of 5/- per barrel on barley), while others suggest the Young Farmers’ Clubs should take up the organisation of farmers.

While all these suggestions are very good in their way, they show a lack of sincere co-operation on the part of the writers for the simple reason that for the past ten years the Irish Farmers’ Federation has been in existence working in the interests of all classes of farmers, and leaving no item unattended to. The IFF is a registered trade union and non-political and non-sectarian. We have county organisations in most of the Leinster counties affiliated to the IFF, and the Cavan and Monaghan Farmers’ Associations are also affiliated, while we also have the support of farmers’ organisations in other counties.

The present financial crisis in Britain is serious, no doubt, but it may prove a blessing in disguise, if only statesmen will admit that there is no difficulty in producing money, and act accordingly, while the farmers given fair prices will produce the food.

In order to get the greatest possible production it will be necessary to have the closest co-operation of the farmers, and seek their life-long experience and advice on such matters. The men at the office desk will not produce the food.

The IFF has always advocated guaranteed economic prices based on the cost of production, which will give the farmer and his family a reasonable return, and the workers an adequate wage for efficient production. National economic freedom cannot be achieved in Eire until we have a national financial system of our own; we are still tied to the British pound (and they dictate our prices), and have no power to use the credit of the nation for the benefit of our own people. On several occasions we have appealed to the Government to “Free the National Credit” in order to carry out the following essentials to a prosperous agriculture. To “close the price-gap. Stop restriction of production. Stop the taxation ramp and finance post-war reconstruction effort.”

We welcome new members, and to those who appear anxious to help in organising farmers we extend a hearty welcome to come along and join us in the good work. The Federation is there for you; what is wrong with it?

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Wicklow.

Re County Wicklow Convention of Clann Na Poblachta

It was stated in your report of above convention, which was held in Aughrim recently, that a third candidate was proposed, Mr. William E. Clune, Clonwilliam, Aughrim, and that the proposal of Mr. W. E. Clune caused quite a sensation, as he was chairman of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, at which convention a few days previously they had selected Mr. Patrick Cogan as their candidate for County Wicklow.

I wish to have this statement corrected and the position made clear. Mr. William E. Clune was chairman of the Wicklow Farmers’ Party, which is a distinct association from the Irish Farmers’ Federation. He recently resigned from the Wicklow Farmers’ Party.

Mr. Clune is a member of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, which is a registered trade union and does not put forward candidates for the general election. It is one of the great advantages of being a registered trade union that we can claim within our membership, farmers, no matter what their political affiliations may be. Some of our members are supporters of Fine Gael, some are supporters of Fianna Fail, some are supporters of Mr. James Everett, some have now joined Clann na Poblachta, while it is only natural that the largest section of farmers support the Wicklow Farmers’ Party. Nevertheless, all farmers are welcome as members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, as our business is Agriculture First and all the Time. It is our main industry, the kingpin of Irish prosperity.

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

The following letter from the Irish Farmers’ Federation was read: The Irish Farmers’ Federation.

Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow. 13th February, 1948.

K. J. Brangan, Esq., County Secretary, County Wicklow County Council, Wicklow.

Dear Mr. Brangan. On behalf of the members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation I have been directed to ask you to kindly have this letter given to the Chairman of the County Council before the Estimates Meeting begins next Monday: I am directed to enter a strong protest against any increase in the Rates for 1948/49 on the following grounds: Farmers’ prices have been pegged down for years past and still are while we have been burdened with increased rates and increased wages on several occasions during the past number of years. The extra grant towards relief of rates on Agricultural land has gone to meet in part the increased wages of farm workers, so was really a grant to the workers and of no extra benefit to the farmer. While Farmers’ prices are pegged down, it is only reasonable and just that there should be a limit beyond which Rates could not be increased.

As food production is of vital importance to the nation, and any increase in the farmers’ cost of production such as increased rates means money from the vital week of food production, we feel that the members of the County Council will give careful consideration to these matters and defer all increased expenditure on items that can reasonably be postponed of which there are many in the list of estimates.

We also consider that too much attention is given to main roads while county roads in mountain areas are neglected. We also consider it unfair that CIE which had the valuation reduced some years ago on Railway property, is now allowed to tear up our roads with their lorries while not paying rates for same roads. We earnestly request the Chairman and members of the County Council to have the proposed Estimates drastically reduced and give the farmers a chance of producing food.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Irish Farmers’ Federation, County Wicklow Executive. A Meeting Will Be Held In Clash on Monday, 1st November at four pm. All Farmers invited. Several Important Matters on Agenda for Consideration. NB: Members wishing to join in the visit to Devon Farmers, are requested to attend this meeting, as arrangements for the tour must soon be made. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Pigs And Bacon

Sir. "A Poor Man” writing in the Irish Independent of 20th ultimate states that he made a profit of £15-9-0 in cash (not to mention the manure) from two pigs which he bought on April 2, 1948, and sold on August 27, 1948. He also states that the costings for keeping these two pigs were as follows: Purchase price for the two pigs, £10-16-6. For the four weeks of April they used 4 stones of maize meal; for the four weeks of May 4 stones of meal; month of June 11 stones of meal, and month of July 11½ stones of meal. This 30½ stones of meal cost him £5-13-6 and separated milk cost him 5/-, or a total of £16-15-0 altogether. He sold the two pigs for £32-4-0, leaving him a nett cash profit of £15-9-0.

I would be much obliged If he would let me into the secret of where this wonderful breed of pigs can be bought in Limerick, for surely they must be wonderful pigs to grow to 13 stone weight each in 21 weeks, and, seeing that he only fed them on 30½ stones of maize meal for 17 weeks, as he does not mention having fed them for the month of August.

Of course, there was the 5/- worth of separated milk to cover the period, but, counting 1d per gallon as the cost of the milk, it would only come to 60 gallons, which would be less than a half a pint of milk per pig per day. Also he does not mention having fed any potatoes, cabbage or roots, nor put down the cost of preparing food or time taken to feed daily, and to clean out stye.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Wicklow.

(Note: We have received several letters from other readers expressing similar views on a “A Poor Man’s” letter)

Dear Readers. I am sure that many of you who move about in public places, at all kinds of gatherings such as meetings, fairs, markets etc., and in business dealings have often heard the view expressed “we must educate the Farmers.”

In publishing this little book, our aim is not alone to educate the Farmers but to educate the rest of the community on matters of vital importance not only to the Farmers, but in the National interest.

I therefore wish to point out that the articles appearing in this book contain strong views, written by and on behalf of Farmers whose conditions have become unbearable. Many business people are in complete agreement with the necessity for altering these conditions even in so far as saying they would be satisfied with reduced profits to conform with more equitable conditions.

All the Advertisers who have helped the Farmers by advertising in this book in spite of views expressed therein will receive every recognition from the Farmers when it comes to the purchasing of any goods they may require. The fact of advertising or not advertising in this book is in reality the acid test as to their genuine wish to help the Farmers. The Farmers will back those who back them and we express our most sincere thanks to all advertisers.

All farmers are aware of the Slump that came after the First World War.1 For a few years after the end of the war in 1918 farmers enjoyed very high prices and everyone seemed prosperous, but the slump came in 1927 to 1931 with continually falling prices for our agricultural produce.

Farmers then did not know the cause of that slump. Many of them have since studied economics and financial control and realise that it was caused by those who control the power to create or destroy money and thereby control the Nations.

While this depression spread over Britain and Ireland, the British and North of Ireland farmers got some relief by de-rating of their agricultural land and buildings, but farmers in the 26 counties got no relief.

Following the Economic war when Britain placed tariffs on our cattle and agricultural produce, the plight of Irish farmers was very bad indeed, and in many counties they were beginning to form small Associations of farmers and voicing their grievances.

Some of us realised that if we were to achieve success and win relief for Irish Agriculture we must unite – as unity is strength. Therefore, having heard a very impressive speech from Mr. Ernest Browne, County Clare, at a meeting of the United Farmers’ Protection Association held in the Mansion House, Dublin, in 1933, I decided to do my part and get in touch with all the Farming Associations I could with the view of forming a non-political farmers’ organisation which would be representative of all Branches of farming.

On the invitation of County Wicklow Farmers the first Conference of Farmers was held in the Hotel St. George, Parnell Square, Dublin, on 24th September, 1936, fourteen Counties being represented. Further meetings were arranged to discuss constitution and rules which would best help to give us a sound organisation, as many as seventeen counties being present at our meetings.

Realising the urgent necessity for a Central Organisation that would unite all existing Farmers’ Associations with a view to closer co-operation between farmers for the benefit of the industry, the Irish Farmers’ Federation was established on 3rd March, 1937, and was registered as a Trade Union on 27th April, 1937. Being a registered trade union it is strictly non-political and non-sectarian. Membership is open to all farmers and farm labourers who accept its rules.

The reason we registered as a Trade Union was to ensure it would be non-political and to have the protection of the Trade Union Acts, under which we had the right to hold public meetings and express our grievance, a thing we found very necessary to do at the time, as owing to the censorship of the Press the true position of the Agricultural Industry was being withheld from the public, and we were the victims of grave injustices.

It will be understood that there are many different Farming Associations such as Grain Growers, Beet Growers, Milk Producers, Pig Producers, etc., but the great majority of farmers carry on mixed farming, a little of everything, and farmers had no central organisation, and we knew how one section of the farming industry could be played off against another section as long as the farmers were kept divided into sectional organisations.

Now, if agriculture is to prosper it must be treated as a whole and not divided into sections, therefore the Irish Farmers’ Federation acts like the hub of a wheel. It is the binding link not alone between the various Associations but between the various Counties.

The Main Objects of the Federation are:

To consolidate all other Farmers’ Associations. This Federation is to be a Council of Agriculture representing all branches of the Industry, to act in a consultative and advisory capacity to and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture.

To voice the considered opinions of the farmers and to forward their interests.

Fixity of Tenure.

Fair prices for farm produce based on cost of production.

Full de-rating of agricultural land and farm buildings.

Re-adjustment of Loan Credit Charges and better credit facilities for farmers.

Fair representation for farmers on all national legislative and administrative bodies, and the election by the organised farmers of the State of a majority of their members on all Boards dealing directly with agriculture.

Adequate compensation for Economic War losses.

Affiliation of County Associations

Each County Association pays a fixed sum to the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation and elect their own representative to the National Executive.

We found in organising the various Counties that they all liked to work under their own name such as Cavan Farmers’ Trade Union, Monaghan Farmers’ Federation, County Dublin Farmers’ Association, etc., while they affiliated with the Irish Farmers’ Federation. Then there were a few Counties which never affiliated, but kept in touch with the Federation and were willing to give their full co-operation if needed.

It was our rule to hold monthly meetings of the National Executive and after getting the considered opinions of the farmers from the various counties to send forward our recommendation to the Government and in particular to the Minister for Agriculture, on the successful carrying out of the agricultural policy.

Unfortunately the Minister did not act on our advice when offered.

Much has been spoken and written during the past few years on the subject of Irish Agriculture and our declining output by many city folk and others not connected with the land. One wonders how much of their concern is directed for the farmers’ benefit, or is it because that at last they realise that it is the farmer who keeps them all supplied with the necessaries of life and many luxuries which he himself cannot afford. For it must be remembered that it is from our agricultural exports that the money is provided to purchase our imports.

They fail to see that Irish farms have been mined rather than farmed during the past 25 years, hence the decline in output. They do not realise that they are living at a standard of living of the 20th century, while the financial system under which we are working is still of the 17th century, and while we have gained political freedom we cannot obtain economic freedom till we get financial freedom. Indeed until we get financial freedom our farmers will still be weighed down with a burden of National Debt to repay interest on National loans, Local loans and Marshall Aid.

If our Parliament would exercise their power to use the National Credit for the benefit of the Nation and issue their own money free of debt, the public would be relieved of this huge sum of annual taxation to pay Interest on National Loans, Local Loans, and, in the near future, on Marshall Aid Loan. The result would be a welcome drop in the high cost of living which concerns all.

1 - The same text was published in the Wicklow People, 31.12.1949.

The year 1948 opened with the very unexpected news of an early General Election and the new Government taking over the reins of office on 18th February, 1948. Owing to the bustle and excitement of the General Election, our first meeting of our National Executive for the year was held on 2nd March. From which meeting we offered our congratulations to Mr. John A. Costello, An Taoiseach, and his Ministers who formed the new All-Party Government, as it seems the only natural result of Proportional Representation. In offering congratulations to Mr. James Dillon, our new Minister for Agriculture, we offered him (as we had done to former Ministers) our co-operation in increasing agricultural production and wished him success in his new office.

On 19th May we had our first interview with the Minister for Agriculture and placed before him many suggestions for the improvement in production in the various lines of agriculture, in which special recommendations were made to encourage and ensure a rapid increase in the production of pigs, eggs, poultry and sheep. The following items being of paramount importance. A minimum price for fat pigs of £10 a cwt dead weight. Eggs, 3s 0d a dozen in summer and 5s 0d a dozen from November to February inclusive; sheep, a subsidy on breeding ewes of the hill flocks and a better price for all wool; and stabilisation of rates on agricultural land and that the Department of Agriculture should publish the agricultural production costings figures.

The Minister was very enthusiastic about the Marshall Plan, hoping Ireland would get a free grant like other countries, instead of a loan. He was called away from our meeting before we discussed the sheep question, so on 7th July we called a special Conference of sheep breeders, representatives being present from the following Sheep Breeders’ Associations: Galway, Wexford, Wicklow, Mountain, Suffolk, Waterford, and members of the Irish Farmers’ Federation from Wicklow and Meath.

We had a long interview with the Minister for Agriculture on 8th July and while he was very definite that he would not give any financial assistance to Hill Sheep Farmers for sheep production, he said he would give them every possible assistance under the farm improvement grant to enable them to improve the land around their home-steads and make it capable of feeding a larger number of sheep. He also assured farmers that their fears of a sudden slump in prices of sheep could be allayed as there would be an un-limited market for all the sheep and lambs we could produce for the next four or five years at least.

We were very disappointed at his lack of knowledge of the sheep-breeding industry, and we pointed out that many of the mountain farmers had practically no land they could improve, while many of them had only grazing rights of mountains, but were not the owners of those mountains; so to improve the mountains, if this were possible, for somebody else did not hold out any advantage to the individual farmer who needs assistance now to enable him to increase production immediately. It was emphasised, that in many parts of County Wicklow it was not a case of not having enough grazing for sheep, but that many of the mountains were not half stocked with sheep.

The new Trade Agreement with Britain was welcomed by all farmers, as good stabilised prices for all Agricultural Produce over a period of 4 years should go a long way to put our agriculture back on its feet again.

Having congratulated Mr. Dillon, Minister for Agriculture, for having done all he could to improve our position on the British market, we appealed to the farmers of Ireland to do their utmost to increase production in all branches of agriculture, and we hoped the Government would see that the farmers were given the necessary credit and reliefs to enable them to get into full production.

In the spring time (sowing time) our farmers had been encouraged by advertising and announcements from the Department of Agriculture and the Minister that there would be a good price and demand for all we could produce. Alas, when harvest came we found that our oats and potato crops were almost un-saleable. The prices for fat sheep and lambs had dropped, as also fat pigs.

The grain harvest had opened with oats making as low as 20s 0d a barrel (14 stones) and for three months we continued to press the Minister for Agriculture to give the famers a just price for their oats. We considered that 2s 6d a stone should be the minimum price to the farmers for their oats. Finally the Government fixed a price of 2s 0d a stone for oats which bushelled 38 lbs or over.

Unfortunately, hundreds and hundreds of farmers could not wait so long and were forced to sell their oats at very low prices to meet their rates, seed merchants’ and manure merchants’ bills, etc., and, as usual, it was the small farmer and those on the poorer land who suffered most, and those who could only grow back oats on their lands.

During the year we sent memorandums to the Commission of Enquiry into Emigration, and the Transport Commission, presided over by Sir J. Milne. In the latter we stressed the necessity for the railways to be maintained, that too much heavy traffic had been shifted from the railways to the roads, that long distance bus services running parallel to the railway be discontinued and where necessary to run buses to feed the railways, that passenger fares are too low, that CIE road transport for livestock freight charges were much higher than licensed hauliers and left much to be desired in the way of efficiency. That better train service for livestock should be provided which would take the bulk of the livestock traffic, and where the railways had been shut up, the CIE should provide proper loading banks for lorries to load livestock.

In December we decided we would seek an interview with Mr. Joseph E. Carrigan, the American representative of Marshall Aid to Ireland, to put before him the difficulties of the majority of our farmers to get into production. We felt that if this 60 million dollar loan is meant to help the country back into full production it is the farmers who require the immediate help. Also that as we know all payments eventually come out of the land, we should see that dollars are not used on unnecessary purchases.

On 2nd February, 1949, we had a long and most interesting interview with Mr. Carrigan, and impressed on him that the great need of our farmers was credit facilities to enable them to re-stock and improve the equipment of their farms, and guaranteed just prices over a term of years so that they would have stability and assured markets. Mr. Carrigan said that he had already addressed meetings of farmers but we were the first who had advocated the necessity for credit and he thought that was our greatest necessity. He also said that from what he gathered about farming conditions and taxes in Ireland that our taxes on land were much higher than in USA.

We held eight meetings of the National Executive during the year. We have kept a watchful eye on all matters affecting our farmers and advised them in the various counties accordingly.

Owing to the false propaganda that had been going on as to the world wool supply and efforts to bring down prices on the home market, we advised the farmers of Ireland that in view of a world shortage of wool and that Eire has the lowest sheep population on record, having only 1,626,400 in January, 1948, against 2,909,410 in 1941, we suggested to farmers that they demand an increase of at least 6d a lb on the price they obtained for their 1947 wool clip.

I am glad to say the general run of prices for 1949 were 3d to 4d a lb increase.

Much improvement has been made in our poultry industry, the great increase in export of Eggs was on account of the good price given with the new Agreement.

For several years our Federation had agitated for the removal of the unjust levy placed on our turkeys for export. The removal this Christmas time had a very good effect on prices of turkeys and will do much to encourage increased production this year.

The upward trend in cattle prices has, thank God, done away with the slaughter of calves. We regret that the all important matter of the price of milk to creameries has not been increased, while wages, rates and other expenses on the farmer have all been increased.

Organisation work has been going on steadily, but some farmers seem to think if you are not doing spectacular things you are not making progress and do not appeal to the multitude. We know that many spectacular movements have been spasmodic but short lived, whereas the work of the Irish Farmers’ Federation has been steady, serious, and studied, and gaining the respect not alone of the farmers but of many people in other walks of life who realise the great National importance of Irish Agriculture.

The Rev. Dr. Morris, in his Paper, has certainly gone very deeply into the history of Rural Trade Union organisation. From my own experience I am in agreement with him that Rural Workers and Farmers are more difficult to organise than other sections of the community. Speaking from the Farmers’ standpoint, I agree too that the welfare of Agriculture depends on our being effectively organised and having at the same time the closest co-operation between the farmer and his worker.

International statistics show that Agriculture is by far the largest industry in the world, taking into account the number of persons engaged in it; and the most important from the point of view of what it produces as well. Surely then it merits a form of organisation made-to-measure rather than one taken ready-made from the factory and the office. Besides, Agriculture to the Irish people is more than just another ‘industry’: it is a way of life. Nor can it well be regulated like the other industries; it depends too much on Divine providence, the success or failure of crops, on weather, losses of animals through epidemics or disease (not always preventable), etc. So in arriving at what is the just price for farm produce, for instance, we have to allow a larger percentage of profit on each item than the industrial percentage of profit - to offset the loss on other items.

Similarly hours and conditions of work will have to be different from those in industry. To begin with, when Ireland fed double the population we have to-day, her farmers and agricultural workers worked up to 70 and 80 hours a week. Our greatest output was and is livestock and livestock products. If however we are to increase these, it can be done only by greater care and attention to feeding and management, particularly in dairying, stall-feeding, pig production and calf-rearing. But this cannot be fitted into an eight-hour day and a five-and-a-half day week. If then the hours of agricultural workers are ruled by the Agricultural Wages Board to be 50 a week, the farmer will follow some other line like grain growing or dry-stock raising, and do with less hired labour. This will be disastrous both for dairying, etc., and for employment.

When the advocates of Labour appeal to the high cost of living to support their demands for still higher wages, they never realise that the granting of their demands is a direct cause of the high cost of living, as most industries have their prices and profits fixed after taking into account all costs of production including wages. Only when it comes to fixing agricultural prices and wages does this not happen - unfortunately for the farmer. Here is where agriculture has been neglected. I may add that the Irish Farmers’ Federation has for several years been pressing the Department of Agriculture to set up a Costing Tribunal to investigate the costs of production in agriculture, so that fair prices, based on these costings and allowing for a fair wage to those engaged in agriculture, could be fixed. We would welcome a Workers’ Union making a similar demand.

Agricultural workers should be paid as well as, if not actually better than, workers in industry, but in order to do this the farmer must get prices that will enable him to meet this extra charge. This he is not, and has not been, getting. It must be remembered, that farmers from 1930 to 1937 were getting prices almost 20 per cent below the 1914 level, while the Cost of Living during those years was around 50 per cent higher than the 1914 figure. In 1938-1939, the years on which the Agricultural Price Index is based, the Cost of Living was 74 per cent higher than for 1914, whereas the Agricultural Price Index was only 11 per cent higher than in 1914. In 1945 the Cost of Living figure had reached 295 compared with 1914, whereas agricultural prices had reached only to 180. The rise in the Cost of Living was mainly due to the rise in manufactured and imported commodities; if the figure was 295 and agricultural produce increased only to 180, then the other items must have increased to something like 400.

In years gone by this country was fed on cheap food produced by the unpaid labour of the farmers’ family, as only about 50,000 out of our 250,112 farmers pay hired labour. Since high wages can be earned in so many industries, is it any wonder that many thousands of our young people have left the land? If we are to stop this flight from the land, the farmer must be assured of better prices for his output so that his family can get a fair share in return for their labours on the land. I am not against cheap food. I am only against cheap food and dear industrial goods and services, this weighting of the balance against agriculture.

This brings us to the point as to the most suitable organisation for rural workers. I suggest that it must be one that demands first and foremost a guaranteed price for farmers based on costs of production which include fair wages to all workers.

The suggestion of reducing the work to 50 hours a week or 5½ days is definitely a city suggestion and not practical on the farm. It will mean just an extra rise in wages, where instead of taking the half day the man works on and is paid overtime for his half day.

With regard to holidays the agricultural worker has the advantage over the city worker in that he gets all the Church Holidays free, and that it is usual for him to get days throughout the year as well for the purpose of attending fairs to sell his pigs or cow, or to attend ploughing matches or funerals, not to mention the hours off to cultivate his plot - with the use of horses and machinery from his employer. Long may these human associations last and keep him from being turned into just another cog in the machine.

The rise in wages granted by the Agricultural Wages Board means more to farmers in increased cost of production than at first meets the eye, as we know that once the farm worker gets a rise in pay, the County Council and Forestry workers also get an increase in pay, all of which comes out of the farmers’ pocket in the form of increased rates and taxes.

It seems that there is a tendency on the part of those organising rural workers to view agricultural problems too much from the urban or industrial standard. This may seem to the great advantage to the rural worker, but in reality it may mean a large number of rural workers losing permanent employment and mixed farming becoming more mechanised. The great argument against shortening hours and increasing wages is that present Agricultural Prices are insufficient to meet the higher costs, and also that it will seriously retard output to the national loss.

It would therefore be in the best interests of the Agricultural workers themselves that they form an organisation confined exclusively to, and directed wholly by agricultural workers who understand and appreciate the needs of the industry. Secondly it would be to the best interests of workers and farmers to make common cause to secure for the agricultural worker permanent employment at a just wage and for the farmer just prices so that he can pay the wage. This raising of the standard of living of both those important sections in our national economy would, of course, be in the best interest of the country as well.

“Farm produce prices well maintained”

An article under the above heading was published in the Irish Independent of 5th January, 1949. It stated: “The prices of agricultural produce are maintaining themselves well, the index figure for November last being 261 compared with 100 in the year August, 1938, September, 1939, according to an official statement issued yesterday. The comparable figure for October, 1948, was 254 and for November, 1947, it was 242. There has, therefore, been an average of 19 points in the twelve months November, 1947, to November, 1948.”

In quoting the comparison of the Agricultural Price Index Figures and the Cost of Living figures as from the 1938/1939 level, it is very misleading as to the correct position of agricultural prosperity for the following reason: It must be remembered that farmers from 1930 to 1937 were getting prices almost 20 per cent below the 1914 level, while the cost of living during those years was around 50 per cent higher than the 1914 figure. In 1938/1939 years on which the agricultural price index is based, the cost of living was 74 per cent higher than 1914, whereas the agricultural price index was only 11 per cent higher than in 1914. In 1945 the cost of living had reached to 295 compared with 1914, whereas agricultural prices had reached only to 180 compared with 1914. The October, 1948, agricultural price index was 254 above the 1938/1939 base, or 233 compared with the 1914 base.

It is interesting to note that Section Ten of the Statistical Abstract of 1946 gives the following Table No. 238. Cost of Living Index based July, 1914: 100.

Year, 1947, February: All items increase 295.

Year, 1947, February: Food increase 271.

Year, 1947, February: Clothing increase 428.

Year, 1947, February: Fuel and light increase 298.

So you see food has not increased in price to the same extent as other items. Also it would show a more correct balance if the farmers cost of production was also published.

Dear Sir. I did not receive the usual Green Form for sending in our Annual Returns for 1948. I usually get them sent to me from your Office about February.

I would be obliged if you will send them on now as I want to have the Audit completed before end of the month.

Thanking you I remain, yours faithfully Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

Dear Sir. At a meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Four Courts Hotel Dublin on 5th instant, I was directed to write and ask you if you would kindly receive a deputation from our members at an early date to discuss the very important matter of the necessity for relief of rates on Agricultural Land.

The following resolution was passed unanimously: “That we consider the time has arrived when the Government should review the Rating of Agricultural Land and have a fixed rate equal to the remitted half annuity. Since the price of all the main agricultural products have been fixed, we think that the rate on Agricultural Land should also be a fixed charge.”

Any day except a Monday, we can attend on the deputation and we hope that you can receive us before the Dail re-assembles.

I remain yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Dear Sir. On behalf of our members I wish to thank you for granting us the interview on 20th instant. Though we came away with rather sad hearts as you held out no hope of relief for us, we do appreciate that we can go and place our cause before you.

The latest bombshell on farmers is the White Paper on Social Security. It will lead to a demand for higher wages and therefore higher production costs. When you consider the very heavy demand for Rates and realise that owing to farmers under £20 PLV getting nearly de-rating we find that there are only about 50,000 farmers who pay labour and are in the highly rated holdings.

It is the farmers who pay high rates and who employ labour who produce most of our agricultural exports, if the farmers’ income is reduced, employment will be the first thing to be hit. Stabilisation is vital in any business. We still hope that you will find a way to give farmers some relief from excessive rates and more stability in their livelihood.

We sympathise with you in your very difficult office, and your worry to provide housing tempts me to enclose you a very interesting address given some years ago by a friend of ours.

Your remark that you had only two ways open, i.e. more taxes on the community or a new loan, urges me to send you the enclosed.

Some years ago when we met on a deputation to the late Cardinal Joseph MacRory we asked his opinion on the necessity for a change in our present financial system, and his reply was that “he could not understand why our Government had not taken control of the credit of the country long ago”.

Please pardon me for making these suggestions to you but I do so from sincerity of heart.

I remain yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Dear Sir. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Ormond Hotel Dublin on 7th December our members discussed the new Social Security Scheme and expressed their opinion as follows: That the proposed expenditure of 24 million pounds is totally unnecessary, and it will create a privileged class, and that all farmers large and small will have to contribute to this 24 million pounds to provide services for others, while having to carry out those services for themselves and their dependents. Will the Minister for Agriculture see that the prices for Agricultural Products are sufficiently high to pay for those services for the farmers themselves and for those who are to benefit? There is a section in every country which is poor and should be helped, but don’t destroy the self-respect of the Nation.

We hold such a Scheme would upset the whole economic system of the country and that such a large expenditure of public money is a matter that should be postponed till after the next General Election, when the Electors would have a chance of expressing their views, and we call on all Farmer Deputies of all Parties to vote against the passage of this Bill in the present Dail.

I remain yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Dear Mr Costello. I have been directed by my National Executive to forward you and each member of the Government, a copy of enclosed booklet. In view of International Affairs it may be of interest to you. We would very much appreciate an acknowledgment of receipt of same.

Wishing you great success in 1950. I remain yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Dear Mr Costello. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in Ormond Hotel Dublin on 15th instant, the following resolution was passed unanimously and I was directed to send a copy to you and to other Ministers.

Holy Year: As the Holy Year is a time for Amnesty and forgiveness of debts, and our Government have already released over one hundred prisoners, we request that they grant a remission of part of the debts due on Board of Works charges and Land Commission charges where excessive interest rates have been collected, and that they grant a Moratorium for this year on Instalments due to the Agricultural Credit Corporation on long term loans. This moratorium would enable farmers to put the amount that would be payable, into the purchase of fertilisers or live stock, and so be in a better position to increase production, and to keep up payments in following years.

I give on a separate sheet an example of excessive interest rates and we make a special request that the Government would make a payment of restitution in this case.

I remain, yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Annexe to the above letter: Board of Work Loans. Loan borrowed in 1921. Amount of loan £490 at 7½ %. Repayable from 1922 to 1957 (35 years) in half-yearly instalments of £19 7s 7d

Payments were made to Board of Works for eight years amounting to £309 12s 0d. Payments ceased in 1931 owing to the financial difficulties of present occupier, (being left a widow with two small children.) For period from 1931 to 1950 total amount paid on 4th January 1950 was £905 10s 8d. Future payments would amount to £225, making a total repayment of £1,440 2s 8d.

The person affected by this loan is Mrs Elizabeth Kavanagh of Ballinameesda, Red Cross Wicklow; she is at present living with her sister at Kilballyowen House Ballinglen County Wicklow.

The Council expressed appreciation of the following letter received from the Irish Farmers’ Federation: Springfield, Kilbride, Arklow.

27th March, 1950. K. J. Brangan, Esq., County Secretary, Courthouse, Wicklow.

Dear Mr. Brangan. At a meeting of the County Wicklow Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in Clash on 14th instant, I was directed to write to you and ask you to convey to the County Manager and members of the County Council our appreciation for the reduction in the rates this coming year. While the reduction is small, we welcome it, but we demand that more attention should be given to the County Roads many of which are in a very bad state.

We like to give honour where honour is due and would like to express our appreciation on the good work done in the cleaning up of the rivers, which when finished should be much benefit to land drainage, etc. I remain, Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary.

Bran Supplies

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, Wicklow, in the course of a letter, writes: I would like to thank Mr. P. A. Sweeney, MRCVS, for his excellent letter of February 27. Mr. Sweeney makes a very good suggestion, “that while supplies are limited, it would be beneficial to stockowners if a quota were allocated to distributors to supply owners of sick animals on the production of a veterinary surgeon’s prescription,” and “only when the requirements of the farmer for sick or healthy animals are supplied should any bran be allocated to manufacturers of compound feeding stuffs.”

Speaking as a farmer, and in my work as General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation having constant discussions with farmers from the various counties, I would go farther and say that if farmers had more supplies of pure pollard and pure bran, there would be far fewer sick animals.

Another matter that needs to be rectified is that retailers say they have such small profit on the sale of bran that it does not pay them to sell it in stones, and they sell it all by the cwt. This is a great hardship on the small feeders and cottagers who feed a pig or a few fowl, or the person who wants a stone for a sick animal.

Dear Mr Costello. At a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Ormond Hotel Dublin on 24th instant, I was directed to forward you the following resolutions which were passed unanimously:

Bank Strike and CIE Strike: “We regret the serious inconvenience and loss to the public by the Bank and CIE Strikes. We consider that under the circumstances, no interest should be charged on Over-drafts while the Banks are compulsorily closed. We hold that there should be an impartial court with legal powers to settle such differences.” We deeply appreciate your efforts to have the Bank Strike terminated.

I remain yours respectfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Social Justice

In a lecture, in University College, Galway, recently, the Very Reverend, Dr. Felim O’Briain, OF said: “All the men at present on strike belong to non-producing occupations, and any increase in wages they get must be at the cost of producers. The non-producers were too well organised to surrender any of their share of the national income to the people who produce it.

“Producers,” he said, “were unlikely to produce more to pay increased wages to non-producers under the incentive of reduced pay for themselves. A further exodus from the land would be the reaction as before.

“While the fleeced farmer and the underpaid worker must continue to emigrate; while profits soared and well organised groups of workers could secure terms that tended to impoverish further the vast majority of the underpaid, they could not claim that xx or distributive justice existed in the country.

“About one-fifth of the nation’s breadwinners were in registered trade unions. By using their organised force in strike action they could force the community to concede a disproportionate share of the national income that was meagre enough, even if xx divided.”

Continuing, he said “the Minister for Social Welfare proposes to accentuate this unfairness by the Insurance Bill now before the Dàil. Those who had long been the victims of economic discrimination would be forced to contribute to the social security of those who enjoyed permanent jobs.”

It is of very little credit to the farmers that they allow themselves to be the victims of this social injustice. They are the people who produce the wealth which is spent so lavishly in Dublin, and it is spent in Dublin just because the farmers slavishly accept an economy which is devised to that end.

We would be proud to co-operate in an economy that would make our country strong and self-reliant, but we cannot, and will not be a party to an economy which encourages rural depopulation and social injustice, and the risk of irreparable damage to agriculture.

We know that farm workers are not receiving a fair deal in this economy. Like the farmers, they are the victims of social injustice, but, like the farmers, their hours and wages must be governed by the ability of agriculture to pay.

There is one aspect of our economy which trades unionists and industrialists seem to have overlooked. Without the co-operation of the farmer and his worker, who, after all, are the chief purchasers of Irish goods, Irish industries could not afford to meet demands for higher wages.

Take away the monopolies xx tariffs, or lessen the co-operation of the rural purchaser, and the standard of living enjoyed by the urban dweller would be much curtailed. And why should we co-operate in an economy which is used against us.

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

Estimates For Financial Year, 1951/52

No doubt the publication of the Estimates showing an increase of £4,368,955 net and making a total demand of £83,036,048 is a grave disappointment to the people but more especially to the farming community. Because in the reductions made, it shows a reduction of £1,015,490 for agriculture. The country is in a grave state of emergency, and more than ever is it depending on the output from agriculture, both for home consumption and to have extra to export. As well as this increased production from the land, the farmers know that they must try to increase production of feeding stuffs from their own lands, as the amount which heretofore we could import is no longer within our reach. It is therefore sadxx to see the main industry of the country the one to suffer largest in the reductions this year. We know that many of the increases mentioned are beyond the ability of our Finance Minister to overcome as they are governed by outside influences, but surely more provision could have been made to help farmers to produce, when the country depends for them for their food and for 80 per cent of their exports. I note that Dr. Paul Miller, Chief of the Economic Cooperation Administration Mission to Ireland stated at a meeting in Dublin last week, that a proposal had been xx by him to the Minister for Agriculture that five million dollars out of the grant counterpart fund should be used to subsidise the distribution of lime to farmers throughout the country. The plan he envisaged was a five years’ plan and would he thought increase the productivity of grassland by 50 per cent. He realised that agriculture would always provide the country’s major score of foreign exchange.

I hope the Minister for Agriculture will take immediate steps to enable farmers to get lime this year at reduced costs as up to date even the small “lime subsidy” scheme as worked under the County Committee of Agriculture for County Wicklow has not been sanctioned this year and was a very gross disappointment to farmers. County Wicklow land is very deficient in lime and cost of transporting it is very high and put its use beyond the means of many farmers.

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

Pig Prices

Sir. Mr. W. H. Freeman, chairman of the Bacon Curers' Association in a letter to the Press, refers to comments on bacon prices, and goes on to show, by figures, the recent decline in killings since December 2nd last, when the price "freeze" came into force. He also comments on the rise in pig prices since December, but he ends up his letter by stating that "the fact of the matter is that the whole of the increases in the price for bacon over the past two years has gone to the farmer in the shape of enhanced pig prices."

Naturally, without some explanation, the consumer must think the farmers are making excess profits, but the fact of the matter is that over the past two years pig prices did not continue to rise. In fact, on several occasions the prices for pigs fell while the price of bacon was raised. Another point is that, while Mr. Freeman quotes the price offered for top-grade pigs – and there are usually five of six grades of prices for pigs – the consumer always seems to purchase top-grade bacon.

Here are some of the published pig prices during 1949 and 1950, and they cover five or six grades as a rule. 1949: March 192s to 171s; October 185s to 150s; November 186s to 172s; 1950: February 193s to 165s; March 188s to 165s; April 186s to 163s; June 208s to 195s; July 200s to 190s.

In the meantime, our feeding stuffs have gone up from 10s to 15s a cwt Pollard, which we were buying at 14s a cwt, is now 31s – as well as bran – and pig meal, then 24s 6d a cwt is now 33s 6d.

Some people may blame the opening of the border traffic in pigs for the scarcity at present; but, while it did take a good few thousand pigs, it was not the real cause of the decline. The real cause was the continued decline in pig prices in the latter part of 1949 and 1950. Farmers had increased production in the hope that they would be given good prices, but, with increased production, the curers had ample supplies, and they cut the price to the farmer. Then farmers, considering the prices uneconomic, went out of production. The last June census shows over 7,000 less brood sows. It is this reduction that is now the cause of the shortage of pigs.

We warned the Minister for Agriculture of the decline taking place, but I suppose he was over-optimistic that there would be bacon and eggs for all at low prices. Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers' Federation.

County Wicklow Farmers’ Party. Appeal to Electors of the Constituency

We, the undersigned members of the County Executive of Wicklow Farmers’ Party, confidently appeal to the electors of the Constituency of County Wicklow regardless of class, creed or occupation, to support our nominee, Patrick Cogan, Independent Farmer Candidate. He is a very capable and experienced Parliamentarian, and has always taken a leading and effective part in the debates in Dail Eireann, never losing an opportunity to advance the interests of Agriculture, remembering that it is on a prosperous agriculture the whole nation depends. Mr. Cogan’s untiring assistance to his constituents who sought his help was at all times most willingly forthcoming. He has represented the people of the Constituency since 1938. During that period, he never failed to consult our Executive as to the line of action he should take in connection with matters of importance arising in Dail Eireann. We are convinced that Mr. Cogan has proved a worthy and honourable representative of the plain people, and we ask you not to allow yourselves to be influenced by the clever, but false and misleading propaganda emanating from the profession political groups. Give your First Preference Vote To Patrick Cogan and Ensure His Successful Return To Dail Eireann.

Signed on behalf of the County Executive: Eugene J. Byrne, PC, Coolbeg, Wicklow, Chairman; John Dowse, Kilcavan, Carnew, Vice-Chairman; William F. Lynch, Garrymore, Rathdrum, Vice-Chairman; Elizabeth F. Bobbett, MCC, Kilbride, Wicklow; James Hill, Clone, Aughrim, Joint Treasurers; Nicholas O’Toole, PC, Rathduffmore, Hacketstown, Secretary.

Issued by Nicholas P. O’Toole, PC, Rathduffmore, Hacketstown, Election Agent for the Candidate.

The Irish Farmers’ Federation

Mr. John Rooney (President) presided at a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Federation in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin.

From correspondence received, and activities noted, of organisation movements of various Farmers’ associations throughout the country, the Federation decided to offer its help in calling a National Farmers’ Conference early in September with a view to closer coordination between the various Associations.

In order to save the poultry industry from further decline, it was decided to recommend to the Minister for Agriculture that a free market be given for the export of poultry.

As Housing Reconstruction Grants were primarily made to enable smallholders to repair their houses the Federation considered that the application of these grants should be less rigid as regards the floor space of existing buildings where the PLV was well under the maximum fixed.

The Federation congratulated Mr. Thomas Walsh on his appointment to the most important Department as Minister for Agriculture, and offered him their co-operation, trusting that he would maintain the upward trend of Agricultural Production.

Representatives were present from Counties Dublin, Westmeath, Cavan and Wicklow.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Increased Butter Price

Several TDs objected to the last increase of 2d on the lb of butter, their reasons being that it was a burden on the poorer sections of our community. I think their knowledge of housekeeping must be rather poor, or why did these same TDs not disclaim the increase of 4d a lb put on margarine at the time the Inter-Party Government put 2d a lb on the butter.

It seems to me that the taxpayers are to pay up to give an economic price to the foreigner who produces the ingredients for the manufacture of margarine, while our native population are to be denied the cost of production and just reward for their labour in the production of butter.

Any one with housekeeping knowledge would know that it is the poorer section of the people who must buy the extra margarine. If they cannot manage on their 8 oz. of butter per head per week they buy some margarine, as the off ration butter at 3s 6d a lb is too dear for them and they were getting margarine at 1s 8d, so the increase in margarine was more to them than the increase on butter.

Is it not better to give our people plenty of butter at 3s 0d or even 3s 4d a lb – it is a high grade health-giving product of our own country – than run the risk of not having sufficient butter to meet the ration? It is well known that when the ration was only 2 oz. a week, very large numbers of the people paid up to 5s 0d and more for extra butter.

It takes 3 gallons of milk to make one pound of butter on the farm, but 2½ gallons sent to the creamery will make one pound of butter. Butter in this country is very cheap compared with other European countries.

Coloured Pigs

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, Wicklow, in the course of a letter, writes: As we hear constantly that farmers “must produce more from their land, both livestock and feeding stuffs,” it came as a terrible shock to read the recent Pigs (Unsuitable Types) Order which provided that pigs other than white shall not be used for breeding purposes after June, 1952, and that no coloured pig will be bought after that date.

Under this Order, the farmer who had kept a sow which was bred by a large white boar and a black sow, or, perhaps, a black and white sow, and whose bonhams may show even a small spot of black, must now get rid of that sow as he would not have time to have her litter fattened off by next June.

We have a serious decline on our numbers of pigs going to the factories and this will cause a further decline for many months ahead if any sow with the slightest trace of cross-breeding, has to go out of production. Speaking on behalf of the County Wicklow, farmers, I say they have no intention of “going back to the saddle-back pigs.” We know the pure-bred “saddle-back” is a coarse pig when fattened, but we want to keep the good cross-breed we have in certain districts, which has been raised from the black sow crossed with the large white boar. The offsprings of such cross are very good for either pork or bacon and they are healthy and good doers, saving at least six weeks in feeding to bacon weight. With the high costs and scarcity of feeding, this is a great consideration.

A Duine Uasail. In the interests of increasing food production I wish to bring to your notice the following serious matter and to ask you to put a stop to this harassing of the farmers. I can assure you we farmers are only too anxious to increase production, and in the National interest we look to you to give us every chance to do so. The matter is as follows: James Sweeney, The Hollow, Ballinglen, County Wicklow paid his first moiety Rates on 27th September 1951, in November he was sent a six days notice for the second moiety, he always pays his rates before the end of March, and considered this demand unnecessary, he has now been sent a Civil Bill for the second moiety rates amounting to £40 12s 2d plus £2 2s 0d costs. He has six young children. James Murphy, Tomcoyle, Ballinglen, County Wicklow, has been sent a Civil Bill for £7 12s 2d with £1 12s 0d Costs. These farmers live in a district of very poor land and they are facing a big outlay on fertilisers and seeds to carry out their tillage, and at least they should be given till the usual time end of March to pay these rates.

I ask you to put yourself for a moment in their position, not knowing when their few cattle or their horse will be seized for these rates, and in that position would you be able to put your heart fully into your work of increasing production. I appeal to you to make an announcement that will assure the farmers some security and encouragement.

I am told there are many other farmers in the County who are being pressed in this matter. It seems to be the greed of the Rate Collectors to grab all the extra bonuses they can on their collections. Not very Christian like.

Assuring you we do not want in any way to embarrass the Government by publishing these facts, and that you have our fullest co-operation in trying to increase food production.

Is mise le mor-meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Secretary for Wicklow and General Secretary

A Duine Uasail. I am directed to forward you a copy of the Recommendations passed unanimously at the Annual Convention held on 20th instant. In the interests of increased food production we earnestly ask you to have them adopted. Is mise le mor-meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Annexe to the above letter: Recommendations from the Irish Farmers’ Federation Annual Convention which was held in Barry’s Hotel, Dublin on 20th February 1952. Mr. John Rooney County Dublin, President, presiding: We call on all farmers to do their utmost to grow increased crops of wheat oats barley and potatoes in the coming year, and we appeal to the Government to increase the price for wheat and announce the price immediately so that farmers will be encouraged to grow it.

We further call on the Government to prevent profiteering in the prices of seed wheat oats and potatoes, also in the prices of machinery, machine parts, binder twine and artificial manures.

We protest against the increased Rates by County Councils over the country as the time has past for these annual increases, which have now become an unbearable burden on the people. We believe the increase this year of from 15 to 20 per cent in the Rates will greatly retard Agricultural Production as farmers will have to let men go in order to meet their increased rate and will lead to a national calamity at present time.

We believe that all main roads should be a National Charge and so relieve the local rates. Rates should not exceed last years figures pending the fixing of a stabilised economic rate on agricultural land.

For Sale: Small Range, right hand oven; needs slight repair, £2. Clothes Mangel, Steel Fender, some Driving Harness, and Six Laying Hens. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Kilbride, Wicklow.

A Bee Hive for sale, fully stocked. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Annual Returns for Year 1951 425T

A Chara. I received your notice of 18.06.1952 but unfortunately owing to my being extra busy on the farm for the past eight weeks, as I had no workman, I was unable to have the returns sent in before now.

I shall send them to the Auditor within the next day or so, and trust he will have them ready before end of the month. Mise le meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary IFF.

For Sale, York Sow and 13 Bonhams (second litter), farrowed 11th July; price £70. Apply Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, near Wicklow town.

Price of Eggs

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow, in the course of a letter writes: “Harassed Housekeeper” thinks the price of eggs is outrageous, having been charged 6s 6d a dozen for them in Arklow. She also thinks the prices for butter, sugar, bread, bacon and tea are unjust and outrageous in an agricultural country. We don’t grow tea here, and one would imagine that all we had to do being an agricultural country was to shake the bushes and the goods would fall at our feet. I would advise “Harassed Housekeeper” to buy four or six nice pullets now and keep them for 12 months and then write to the papers and tell us her profits and, if she intends to increase her flock. I will be pleased to sell her some hens or pullets if she wants them.

Fall in Number of Cows

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow, writes: Farmers are no fools and if dairying was leaving them a reasonable profit they would continue it, but facts speak for themselves.

Official figures show that on June 1, 1951, we had a decrease in the number of milch cows and heifers in calf of 52’843 and on June 1, 1952, a further decrease in cows and heifers in calf of 28’800, making a total decrease of 81’843. As the cow is the keystone of the agricultural industry, and any decline in the cow population is a national calamity. A decline of 81’643 cows at June 1, 1952, will mean, roughly, 80’000 fewer calves to be born in 1953, and, looking forward, it means 80’000 less three-year-old cattle for the export market in 1956.

At present the country has a very large number of unemployed. If those industries which have their base in agriculture, such as the canning industry, the dead meat industry, the tanneries, etc., are to lose their raw materials, it will add to the unemployment.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow.

Bankers Question Cause of High Taxes

Mr. G. F. Klingner, Chairman, Royal Bank of Ireland Limited, speaking at the annual general meeting in Dublin of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland, is reported as saying: “It was very difficult to see any justification for such high rates of taxes as were now imposed on this country. Could they dare hope, he asked, that whatever Government was in power they would make a really serious effort to effect reductions in taxations of all sorts. If this was done it would have a far greater effect in stimulating industry and commerce than many of them realised.”

While expressing satisfaction at the improvement in the balance of payments in 1952, he warns of the danger that such a position may not continue, and in the event of increased imports in the next year or two, points out that we would again be faced with the problem of balance of payments deficits unless there was a substantial increase in exports, almost all of which must come from agricultural sources. I don’t for a moment doubt the sincerity of the gentleman’s statements, but is he so innocent that he does not know the causes for such high rates of taxation? Would he find out and publish in the papers how many millions of pounds are collected in taxes and rates for, say the years 1950/1951, to meet the interest to Banks on Bank Created Credits to the Government and to Local Public Bodies? Will Mr. Klingner deny that under the Tonnage Act of 1694 a provision of that Act is “The Bank hath interest on all money which it creates out of nothing.” A further Act in 1844 called the Bank Charter Act maintains and intensifies the power of those who create, issue and control money.

As long as this country continues to use a financial system which allows the credit of the country to be used by private Banks to create Credit at Interest, we cannot hope to reduce National and Local Debts and therefore taxation. The Credit of the country should be used for the country’s needs and not for private profit. If this huge load of debt collected through taxation and rates to meet interest on Bank Created Credits was wiped out, it would lift a great burden from the people and thereby reduce costs of production and reduce prices and the cost of living.

A Duine Uasail. I am directed to forward you a copy of recommendations which were passed unanimously at the Annual Convention of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Ormond Hotel Dublin on 25th March.

We deplore the very serious decline in the cattle population which on recent statistics given in the Dail, shows a decline since June 1951 of 433.600 and this decrease includes a decrease of over 76.600 cows and heifers in calf. Farmers are short of credit and are selling cows that should be kept in the herd. It is a National loss to allow cows in calf to be slaughtered.

Is mise le mor-meas, Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary.

Reply to Cottage Tenants’ Questionnaire

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, MCC, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, has sent the following reply to Mr. T. McCarthy, Honorary Secretary, County Wicklow Executive Committee Cottage Tenants’ Association, Newtownmountkennedy, with reference to the “Questionnaire,” which was published last week, and addressed individually to the seven candidates in the bye-election. “I received your letter and Questionnaire this morning and give you my replies according to the way you have numbered your questions.

1. You ask that the Housing Act xx should be repealed. That the Act is xx as it allows Local Authorities to pry into private affairs of cottage tenants.

As the Act embraces many matters, I take it that you are referring to Part 2, Section 14 of that Act. That Act was passed when three or four Labour Deputies were Ministers under the Inter-Party Government, so surely they must have considered the Section fair and just. It is only in line with other Acts which cover all other sections of the community. For instance, the rules governing the qualifications necessary to obtain the County Council scholarships. Or the Questionnaire required by the Agricultural Credit Corporation from farmers. Or the forms required by the Revenue Department regarding Income Tax.

2. You ask that we seek to abolish the graded rent system. I ask you is it not a fact that many people are living in County Council cottages who are in receipt of wages far above that of the Agricultural Labourer for whom these cottages were originally intended, and is it fair to expect the ratepayers to pay the rent on these cottages for people who in many cases are better off than the ratepayers. I think the graded rent scheme is very fair to all, because if the occupier has his wages reduced, his rent is also reduced.

3. You ask that we seek to prevent Local Authorities increasing rent on change of tenancy. This is not a reasonable request, because when some of those cottages were built, they were let at very low rents to the labourer because the wage then was about 10s a week, and the ratepayers paid about £4 per cottage yearly in rent. How could you consider it fair now when wages are over £4 a week to expect the rent of cottage to be left at the old rate? The Ratepayers are still paying off the loans on cottages built in 1896 and subsequently.

4. Yes, I agree that cottages should be properly disinfected on change of tenancy.

5. You ask that we try and prevent Local Authority building any more cottages in Greystones area unless additional employment is available to absorb the unemployed. As I am not a Councillor for the Greystones area the other Councillors might think it an intrusion for me to express an opinion on that matter. In general I think that houses should only be built where there is a demand for them. You will appreciate the fact that it is not a function of the Local Authority to provide work for the unemployed.

I am always glad to support reasonable requests by Cottage Tenants, but you must remember that the ratepayers have a very heavy burden of rates to meet, and County Wicklow has a very large number of cottages compared to other Counties. I would like to see more cottages built in rural areas where single men are waiting for houses to get married, but unfortunately the Local Government Department will not allow houses to be built for single men. Therefore, it is one of the points in my policy “that more power should be given to County Councillors in the management of County affairs.” I remain yours truly. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, MCC.

Miss Bobbett’s Reply

Last Sunday, a correspondent asked what way the Independent farmer was going to vote in the Dail, if elected. My election circular states: “I have no allegiance to any political party nor will I take any sides. I will vote according as my conscience directs me if not directed by my Constituency Committee.” If I were to say I would support the Inter-Party group, I would not be Independent, and if I were to say I would support Fianna Fail, I would not be Independent. If a motion is good for the country I will vote for it, no matter what side proposes it, and against it if I think it is not good for the country.

I can assure the women voters of my fullest support on all matters affecting their rights and interests.

I bear no ill will to any of the parties and should the electors support me, I shall endeavour to work for a spirit of goodwill and co-operation for the benefit of the nation.

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.

A Duine Uasail. I am directed to forward you a copy of resolutions passed at a meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation on 18th November.

I also wish on behalf of the County Wicklow Farmers to express our thanks and appreciation of your interest last month in expediting the delivery of wheat to storage and Drying plants.

Unfortunately owing to the long hold up on the wheat, there was considerable loss and damaged grain, it is a heartbreak to farmers after their year’s work producing the crop to find it suffers damage through no fault of their own. However let us hope that by next harvest there will be drying plants and storage in every county which needs it.

Is mise le mor-meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Annexe to the above letter: Resolutions passed unanimously at a meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held in the Ormond Hotel Dublin on 18th November 1953. 1. Rates on Agricultural Land: “That the present Bill dealing with Rates on Agricultural land be withdrawn. That a Bill be introduced to stabilise Rates on Agricultural land at an economic level, because heavy Rates and taxation in general is retarding production and employment on the land.” 2. Credit for Seed Wheat: We ask that the present Credit Scheme for Seed Wheat obtainable through the Millers be made available immediately instead of only coming into operation on 1st February next, and that it be granted to cover purchase of fertilisers as well as Seed Wheat. If obtainable immediately, farmers can sow winter wheat. 3. Drying Plants and Storage of Grain: We request the Ministers for Agriculture and Industry and Commerce to make the necessary arrangements to have Drying Plants and Storage erected in every County where there is a large area of grain grown. We hold that the Drying and Storage of wheat should be a National Undertaking. We regret that much of the very promising wheat harvest was ruined owing to the fact that storage and drying facilities were not made available and consequently wheat had to be left out in the fields in sacks for several weeks in the bad weather. Of course this is the Farmers’ loss.

For Sale: Morris 8 Car. xx; pmo; very reliable, owner driven. Taxed and insured to end of year; can be seen at Rathnew Auto Service Garage, from 7th to 10th December. Price £35. Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Kilbride, Wicklow.

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.

A Duine Uasail. I am directed to forward you a copy of resolutions which were passed unanimously at the Annual Convention of the Irish Farmers’ Federation which was held on 24th March. The Fertiliser Credit Scheme will be a great help but was too late to be of much advantage this season, and you would need three years to repay when it is used for grass land rehabilitation.

Is mise le mor meas, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary.

Annexe to the above letter: Copied of Resolutions passed at the Annual Convention of the Irish Farmers’ Federation held on 24th March 1954 in Ormond Hotel Dublin. “We thank the Minister for Agriculture for the Fertiliser Credit Scheme but point out to him that the time for re-payment should have been longer when it is used for rehabilitating grass land, also we protest that farmers are being charged 5% interest on this loan when other people can get money interest free for tourist development purposes.”

“We protest against the large increase in Rates in most Counties this year, as every increase in Rates means taking money out of production and employment.”

“We protest against the price being charged to consumers for bacon, seeing that the price of fat pigs dropped 30s 0d a cwt since December”.

Dunganstown Road. Kilbride, Wicklow. Grazing to let by Public Auction on Wednesday, 16th June at Seven-thirty pm. For Miss Elizabeth Bobbett. Approximately 5 Irish acres grazing for 6 months; cattle only. Herded and fenced on usual conditions. Clarke, Delahunt & Co., MIAA, Auctioneers & Valuers, Wicklow. Phone: 14/101.

The Senate

Sir. When the Seanad was reintroduced, it was supposed to be set up on vocational lines. That is, it was supposed to be representative of people who by their calling and experience would be capable of directing the Government in matters dealing with the separate vocations.

We have, as you know, five panels: Cultural and Educational, Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial, Administrative, and Labour. Certain associations or groups known as Nominating Bodies have the right to nominate candidates on the sub-panels, and the Oireachtas have the right to nominate a certain number of candidates also to these panels. Most of these Nominating Bodies are non-political, and their candidates are qualified to speak for the vocation in whose panel they are nominated. As I am a member of a Country Council, and therefore have the right of electing the representatives to Seanad Eireann. I am disgusted to find the political party attitude displayed by some of those seeking election. From literature I have received, they seem to glory in turning the Seanad into a party political machine, some not even mentioning what qualifications they hold that would entitle them to be on the panel, but emphasising their political party achievements and asking for support on political lines.

I have no allegiance to any political party: I care not to what party a candidate may belong. I shall vote for the men and women whom I consider best qualified to give sincere, unbiased attention to the advancement of the vocation on whatever panel they are elected to. By doing this they will be doing the best service to the nation. Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett, MCC, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow, June 20th, 1954.

Seanad Election

I would value a space in your paper to put before the public some matters regarding the election to Seanad Eireann.

When the Seanad was re-introduced, it was supposed to be set up on vocational lines, that is, it was supposed to be representative of people who by their vocation and experience would be capable to direct the Government in matters dealing with these separate vocations. We have, as you know, five Panels: Cultural and Educational; Agricultural; Industrial and Commercial; Administrative, and Labour.

Certain Associations or groups known as Nominating Bodies have the right to nominate candidates on the sub-panels, and the Oireachtas have the right to nominate a certain number of candidates also to these panels. Most of the Nominating Bodies are non-political and their candidates are qualified to speak for the vocation on which panel they are nominated.

As I am a member of a County Council and therefore have the right of electing the representatives to Seanad Eireann, I am disgusted to find the political party attitude displayed by some of those seeking election. From literature I have received, they seem to glory in turning the Seanad into a party political machine, some not even mentioning what qualifications they hold that would entitle them to be on the panel, but emphasising their political party achievements and asking for support on political lines.

I have no allegiance to any political party. I care not to what party a candidate may belong. I shall vote for the men and women whom I consider best qualified to give sincere un-biased attention to the advancement of the vocation on whatever panel they are elected to. By doing this they will be doing the best service to the nation.

Pig Prices 1

Dear Sir. In the daily paper of 16th September the Statistics Returns for Crops and Livestock taken on June 1st were given, and shows that pigs have increased by 64.900 since last year, to 946.700 this year.

On the same page is reported the Department of Agriculture report on agricultural conditions for August. This states "Large supplies of fat pigs were on offer during the month and numbers received at bacon factories were higher than for the same period last year. Demand showed little change, but prices dropped slightly with the increased number on offer." It would be interesting to know how these reports are compiled – is it from the consumers' point of view?

Here are the facts from the producers' side: When the Pigs and Bacon agreement was made with Britain in 1951 it was agreed that Britain would purchase all available supplies of pigs as well as bacon, and that pork could be sent instead of live pigs if agreed on. Several times since then our farmers have been urged to increase pig production and it has been stated that Britain would take all the bacon we could supply. Now we are told that Britain wants pork and not bacon, and it seems to me that our farmers are again being used to supply cheap food to Britain and at the same time our consumers are being charged far too high prices for bacon and pig products.

The following list of prices taken from the daily papers will show the decline in pig prices, which cannot be classed “slight drop”. In the last week of April the advertised prices were quoted for different weights in five grades varying from 1 cwt to 2 cwt dead weight, the price for the light pig from 234/- per cwt dead weight to 200/- per cwt dead weight. For the 2 cwt pig, on the same date the most favoured weight, wanted was for the 1 cwt 15 lb to 1 cwt 2 qrts 7 lbs at 238/- per cwt. Now on 15th September the prices are quoted for four grades from 1 cwt 0 qrts 8 lbs to 1 cwt 3 qrts 0 lbs, prices from 200/- per cwt down to 155/- per cwt. It will be noted that pigs of over 1 cwt 3 qrts are not wanted, but if accepted they will be 140/- per cwt dead weight. On the same date the most favoured weight was from 1 cwt 8 lbs to 1 cwt 2 qrts at 200/- per cwt dead weight. It will be seen from these prices that the drop on the light weight pig is from £1-18-0 to £2-17-0 per pig since April, and on the heavier weight the 2 cwt pig a drop of £6 per pig.

Now let us take the prices for sows which are mostly used in the manufacture of sausages, and which by the way are still selling at 2/6 a lb. In April the price for well finished sows was 135/- dead weight per cwt and for unfinished quality 100/-. The price in September for well finished sows was 120/- and for unfinished quality 80/- per cwt dead weight. In the meantime the cost of feeding stuff has gone up. Grain went up £1 per ton recently and Pollard has gone up 14/- to £1 per ton since July. (It got two rises of 10/- and the recent rise of £3-10-0).

Pigs and poultry were always the side line for the small holder and cottager. Poultry has vanished and it looks as if pigs will follow suit if something is not done to have a just price paid to producers. Here are facts from a recent trial in feeding: Four bonhams bought on 1st June for £19; they were about 7 or 10 weeks. Meals purchased totalled 17 cwt. Cost: £26-3-0; cost of pigs and meal, £45-3-0. Pigs sold on scales at 140/- live weight, 42-7-0. Sold on 13th September. Loss on four pigs, £2-16-0.

This does not include what skim milk they got nor leave anything towards labour costs. Had the prices remained at the April level there would have been a small margin of £2 per head profit.

And yet we hear people say the farmers are doing well!

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride.

1 - The same letter was published in the Wicklow People, 25.09.1954.

Purchase of Fertilisers 1

On every newspaper, daily and local, and in every post office we see large advertisements advising farmers to apply fertilisers now etc., etc., for grass lands, for corn crops, roots.

Over the years, farmers have constantly been asking for some means of getting cheap credit to purchase fertilisers, and in February, 1954, a scheme was brought into force by the Department of Agriculture to enable farmers to purchase fertilisers on special terms of interest by getting a guarantor to sign in any bank on the appropriate form given out by the Department of Agriculture.

This scheme was very beneficial to a large number of farmers and especially to the smaller farmers. You got twelve months to repay the loan, and it left you in a position that you could pay cash down for your fertilisers and so get best quotations. The official title of the scheme was “Department of Agriculture Scheme of Loans for the purchase of Fertilisers and Ground Limestone, 1954.”

As there had been no mention as to whether this scheme was being made available to farmers for 1955, I raised the matter at the County Wicklow Committee of Agriculture in January, and the County Secretary was instructed to write to the Department about it. Up to February 19 there had not been even an acknowledgment of the letter from the Department. On January 30 I wrote personally to Mr. James Dillon, Minister for Agriculture, asking him if the scheme would be made available for 1955 and strange to say I have not got any acknowledgment either. I did not expect a personal reply from the Minister as I know what a very busy man he is, but I felt that any matter of benefit to farmers he would give it personal attention and get the scheme going for 1955. One of our merchants also wrote to the Department about this scheme as many of his costumers availed of it last year, but he has not had a reply from the Department of Agriculture either. Why this inefficiency and discourtesy from any Department?

Farmers are asking for information of this scheme, and I hope the Minister will make the announcement without delay. Indeed if the money spent in advertising was put to supplying cheaper fertilisers it would be better spent.

1 - A similar letter was published in the Irish Independent, 07.03.1955.

At Dungantstown Road, Kilbride, Wicklow. 12 acres 1st crop hay, per instructions of Miss Elizabeth Bobbett. Tuesday, 10th July, at Six pm.

Holiday Guide

County Wicklow. At Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow (3½ miles from Brittas Bay), comfortable accommodation for three guests; bookings from 14th July; four guineas per week. Apply: Miss Elizabeth Bobbett.

Holiday Guide

County Wicklow. At Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow (3½ miles from Brittas Bay), comfortable accommodation for three guests. Booking for September, four guineas per week. Apply: Miss Elizabeth Bobbett.

Articles For Sale

Gestetner Duplicating Machine for Sale, excellent order, price £20. Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Holiday Guide

County Wicklow. At Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow (3 ½ miles from Brittas Bay), comfortable accommodation for three guests; booking now for June, July, August; £ 4-10-0 per week. Apply, Miss Elizabeth Bobbett.

Swine Fever 1

In the daily papers of Saturday, June 22, was published the new Order restricting the movement of pigs with the object of halting the spread of swine fever. In the statement issued by the Department the following paragraphs appear: “Appeals to farmers, pig-feeders and dealers to report suspicious sickness among pigs have been ignored. If they fail to report cases of sickness that look in the least like swine fever, or if they move animals which show such sickness, all efforts will be in vain.”

Now I consider it would be most enlightening if the Department gave some outline as to what the swine fever is like, as I have not yet seen any reference to what are the symptoms of swine fever, and as it is very many years, thank God, since the fever was in this country, most farmers have no idea what way the pigs are affected or what the symptoms are.

Do they run a high temperature? How long does the infection last?

If this information was given through the daily papers, it would save farmers much trouble and expense, as to my knowledge I know of a case where a man had some small pigs and one was off its feed and for fear it might be the fever the man took it 12 miles into the vet, who said it was only indigestion it had.

1 - A similar letter was published in the Irish Independent, 29.06.1957.

For Sale: Gestetner (hand-operated) duplicating machine in excellent order. Price £20. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Holiday Guide

For early Holidays come to Springfield Kilbride, Wicklow, sunniest spot in Ireland; moderate terms. Apply to Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett.

Outsize Eggs!

I note in the Irish Independent of May 9 a reference to a duck’s big eggs – 4½ and 4¾ oz. I have a black hen that lays a 3 oz egg usually, but about ten days ago she laid a 5 oz egg. I showed it to a little boy who went home and told his mother: “Mammy, Miss Bobbett’s hen laid a duck egg.”

Correspondence. Farmers and the Harvest

As a farmer, I wish to thank you and congratulate you on your leading article in “Wicklow People,” of 20th Sept. You have given the fairest account of the harvest of any paper I have read.

It appears that the eastern counties have had the worst of the weather this year, and I think in particular, this part of County Wicklow has suffered most. As I write this I can look down the valley and over the hills, and I should say that half the harvest has yet to be cut. Much of it is not worth cutting.

While all farmers welcome the agreement made between the Government, the flour millers and the farmers’ representatives to ease the losses on the wheat crop, there are many many more sides to the great losses the farmers have to face this year. There are heavy losses on all grain crops, and also by the loss of the aftergrass as very many fields of corn were undersown with grass. Farmers have also been unable to feed cattle on some fields of aftergrass owing to the wet state of the land. For many years the farmers have been appealed to increase production, which they have done in a wonderful way.

A few months ago, we had the experience of seeing our surplus wheat exported at £18 and £20 a ton, and our own people being charged £26 a ton for the same grain. Then we saw the importation of a boat-load of pollard, followed by boat-loads of barley, and lastly a boat-load of bran. We don’t know what price such imported feeding-stuffs will be charged to Irish farmers.

Your good article concluded with the sentence, “Farmers are entitled to a reward commensurate with the value of their labour, which is so important to all, and in difficult times they are deserving of practical sympathy.”

I would suggest the time is ripe for the Government to consider the necessity for a moratorium on all debts due by farmers and seed merchants caused by losses incurred this harvest.

A moratorium for three years would help everybody, and farmers who had let land for tillage could, where at all possible make a good reduction in setting charges.

This season should prove to non-farmers that it is not so easy to plan for agriculture, nor is there such a gold mine in it.

Man proposes but God disposes. If some of us suffer more than others, our country on the whole has a lot to be thankful for. Let us help one another where we can.

Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

FIAT 500. 1947, taxed, good running order, clean condition; price £60. Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Holiday Guide

County Wicklow. Booking for Whitsuntide and summer months – Accommodations for three or four guests; excellent food; well recommended; terms moderate. Apply Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow

Emigration and Debt

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow, writes: May I express my deep appreciation and thanks to Most Rev. Dr. Cornelius Lucey, Bishop of Cork, for his firm upholding of the rural people and his very clear pronouncements as to the cause of emigration and the ever increasing National Debt. Speaking at a Confirmation ceremony in Kinsale the other day Most Rev. Dr. Lucey gave the following official figures: During the five years 1951-1956 the population of the 26 Counties fell by over 200,000 persons having emigrated, and for years 1957-1958 the estimated fail was between 50,000 and 60,000. The National Debt went up in the period 1952-1958 by no less than £179,310,000 namely from £191,612,000 to £370,922,000.

Speaking on the same subject last year Dr. Lucey said: “How can a falling population pay interest on an ever increasing National Debt much less repay the loans that have become due. There is only one answer but who is bold enough and honest enough to give it?”

A group of people in Cork started a movement to curb Emigration calling the movement The Emigration Action Movement (in short TEAM), their president is Mr. T. Pearse Leahy and their address is 33 Patrick St., Cork. It is strictly non-political and their four-point programme calls for the establishment of a true Irish national currency. Credit to be controlled by the Government so that the Government may be able to give interest-free loans repayable out of production. Other aims are, bringing back Irish money invested abroad for investment here, and giving power for the fixing of rates of exchange into the hands of the Government rather than to private groups or individuals.

I welcome such a policy as without Financial Freedom we cannot have economic freedom.

Holiday Guide

Comfortable Accommodation for three or four guests at Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow; well recommended; full board. £4/15/0 per week May and June. £ 5/5/0 July August. Full particulars from Miss Elizabeth Bobbett.

Flour and Farmers

A few days ago I was handed a very interesting little newsletter issued by the Irish Flour Millers’ Association. The aim behind the publication is to try to see why there has been such a decline in the consumption of bread and flour and that it is a matter of national importance to arrest such a decline. It stated: “The decline in average weekly deliveries of flour from the mills for both bakery and household consumption had fallen since 1949/50 to 1958/59 by 11,015 sacks per week. This means that in ten years sales of flour for bread-making have fallen off by nearly 600,000 sacks a year or approximately 20 per cent (one sack equals 280 lbs)”.

Unfortunately it is only too easy to point out why bread sales have declined. In the recent report from the Central Statistics Office we read that in seven years 67,000 people left the land, and for the years 1946 to 1958 the number of farmers (and relatives assisting) decreased by 77,700. A few years ago we had a Census taken on the cost of living and the amount spent on the different foods in the various types of homes and that report showed that the people in rural areas consumed more flour and bread than the people in the cities, and at that time country people were paying 4d a stone more for flour than city people. The two major factors for the decline, therefore, are the fall in the rural population and the withdrawal of the subsidy on bread and flour. Why have so many people left the land I would say because of insecurity of employment and low remuneration (the farmer must get a better share of the National Income), too high taxation and too costly a Government. These are matters that must be taken at national level by all interested in the welfare of our land.

The World Bank

In the daily papers recently we read that Ireland may join a new body, the International Development Association which has been launched as an associate organisation of the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is mentioned that our membership fee would be £1,000,000 and we would have to pay an initial deposit of £100,000.

As legislation is necessary to authorise membership, I hope our TDs of all parties will give such a proposal proper consideration and vote for what is in the best interests of our people, and not play the roll of copy-cat trying to keep up with big wealthy nations.

The following questions might be a guidance. We paid £10 millions plus £1,300,000 in gold, to become a member of the World Bank. What benefits have we got from such membership? On the same page of the paper we read about the American Counterpart Fund, that the total amount of the loan in the books of the Central Bank on 31st March last was £49,978,465.

Surely if our economy is to be put right we should endeavour to pay our debts before we spend any more money in joining International organisations.

Our own people should come first. After the Shannon floods in 1954, houses were to have been built for some of the families, but instead, the poor people have again been flooded out. £100,000 would be better spent in relieving the flooded victims and doing useful work to, for instance, the foreshore at Wicklow.

Holiday Guide

County Wicklow. For a restful holiday and excellent food come to Springfield Cottage, Kilbride, Wicklow. Apply Miss Elizabeth Bobbett.

For Sale: Red Shorthorn Cow, calved 28th March, passed the Herd test, excellent milker, no fault, no re-actors on the farm. Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Guide

County Wicklow. Restful Holiday Accommodation for two ladies or gents, 1st week August; full board. £5 weekly. Apply Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Holiday Guide

County Wicklow. Restful holiday, accommodation, three or four guests, booking from 9th July. Full board, £5 per week. Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Holiday Guide

Restful Holiday Accommodation for three or four guests, booking from 23rd July; full board. £ 5 per week. Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Pigs and Bacon

I congratulate the NFA in their efforts to improve the pigs and bacon position and for putting the first point in their programme: a more standard form of curing bacon should be introduced.

As a consumer I would say “a better form of curing should be introduced” as at present most of the bacon we get is not half cured. If you bring some home on a Friday you cannot eat it on Monday as in many cases it is gone sour. You get it served out of a fridge hard as a rock and by the time you get home it is soft. If we had bacon which would keep like it did in years gone by, many more people would eat it.

While progeny testing may be very necessary, I think if we were told something of the results of the use of the many new drugs which are to hurry up and get fat quick results, we might find that they have a detrimental effect on the food value and flavour of our bacon.

The pig was always looked on as the small farmers’ bank, and he produced them without regard to the latest types of pig houses. It would be interesting to know how much money was paid out in grants for construction of pig houses in the past ten years, and how many pigs were kept each year by those taking advantage of the grants and how many pigs have they kept in 1960 or 1961.

I think the greatest blow to our economy was the reduction of the food subsidies and reduction of the subsidy on bran and pollard which raised costs of feeding stuffs and cost of living on everybody.

We hear so much about feeding the starving world, while it really is the finding of a means to dispose of the bountiful produce of the land at economic prices, which should be tackled. What is physically possible should be made financially possible.

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.

Item No. 9. Letter from Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Regarding Road Improvement Work at The Tap, Ballard, etc.

The following letter from Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, addressed to the Chairman of the Council, was submitted.

Speed v. Safety.

Dear Sir. As I am more interested in Safety than Speed and am a Ratepayer and keenly interested in the manner in which Ratepayers’ money is expended, I wish to bring to your notice the condition of a Road Improvement Scheme which has been carried out in my district.

It is the new part of the road made at The Tap, Ballard, on the Main Dublin/Arklow Road. The new speed track is all that can be desired by the Speed Hogs, but there is no consideration for the people who live in the area and have to use the road daily either by walking or by car. It is a death trap to try and cross it from the Kilbride Road which has been raised at the corner of Mrs. Arthur’s Cottage and the new road is so close to the Cottage garden that your motor car is half out in the middle of the new Main Road before you can see if a car is coming from the Wicklow direction. The little hedge and shrubs on the Cottage garden hide the view completely and there is no Road Sign on the Wicklow side of the road to show you that there is a side road to the left.

It is most dangerous for a pedestrian to cross that road as the three roads meet the traffic coming from Arklow and I would suggest that a pedestrian crossing island be put on it, or better still, traffic lights.

I understand that all these Main Road Schemes are mapped out by the Engineers in the Department of Local Government, so I am not blaming our local Engineers for the Scheme, but surely they could have pointed out such mistakes in the planning.

With regards to the “four-rail” wooden fences which are erected along these new roads, I would be very interested to know what is the cost per hundred yards of such wooden fences compared with cement posts and link wire fences and what is the “life span” of both fences? While the wooden fence may be a way to find a market for some of our home timber I consider it is not as suitable a fence as the span is too much and lambs can get through it.

Having erected the wooden fences will the County Council put up netting wire to keep the farmers’ lambs from getting out on the roads? Is it a compulsory order from the Department of Local Government that these wooden fences be used?

I write this letter in the interests of Safety. This corner is now the most dangerous on the road where as before it was done there was never a bad accident at it.

Yours sincerely, Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Improvements to Tap Road

At Wicklow County Council meeting held on 12th November, a discussion took place on a letter I had sent to The Wicklow People and Chairman of the County Council, complaining of the dangerous condition of the new road improvement and, in particular, of the entry from Kilbride road to main Wicklow-Arklow road. In the course of his report, the County Engineer stated there was a distance signpost at both sides of the junction.

Now I have been writing letters to The Wicklow People and other papers for many years and was in public life, and I never wrote or said anything I could not stand over as true. Up to 4 pm on the 20th November, there was no distance signpost on the Wicklow side of that road junction. There is a sign saying “Dunganstown, one mile,” but that sign cannot be seen when coming up the new road to give one a warning that there is a junction there.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett. Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow.

Wicklow Estimates Meeting Adjourned. NFA Deputation Appeals for Reduction of Rates. Council To Seek Government Grant for Snow Clearance.

Wicklow County Council met in Wicklow on Monday to consider the estimates presented by the County Manager and to adopt a rate for the coming financial year. The Manager is seeking an increase on the current rate of 1s 7d – from 36s 9d to 38s 4d.

After two and half hours of deliberations, the members had succeeded in cutting the estimate of expenditure by £3,000. They adjourned further consideration of the figures until next Monday.

Prior to the meeting a deputation from the County Wicklow Executive of the National Farmers’ Association gave their views on the question of increased rates and appealed to the council to set a headline for the country by refusing to adopt an increased rate for the coming year.

[[…]]

Burden on Farmers

Mr. Michael Byrne, Chairman of the County Wicklow Executive NFA, said they came to remind the members of the very difficult year the farmers had due to the wet harvest of 1962 and the severe weather since Christmas. They could assure the Council that the farmers had no increase in income for many years, while their costs of production had been rising.

Continuing, the speaker stated that in 1962 the Government, realising the necessity for relief of rates on farmers, granted £2,500,000 towards relief of rates on agricultural land. The farmers could not allow any of that relief to be whittled away through county councils striking increased rates in their counties.

Mr. Byrne went on: “This burden of rates on agricultural land has become so important on the economy of the country that the Economic Research Institute has published a preliminary study of local taxation and finance which upholds that rates are especially heavy on farmers. A select committee of Dail Eireann has also been examining the matter and should have produced their report last November.”

The speaker said they held that health charges and main roads should be national charges and they asked the Council to support their claim to the Government in the matter. He added that while realising the difficulties of maintaining local services, they appealed to the Council not to increase the rates this year.

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett spoke in support of the statements made by the previous member of the deputation. Miss Bobbett said the evidence contained in the National Farm Survey of the inability of farmers, particularly the smaller farmers, to pay even the present demands of County Councils had brought forth a resolution from the National Council of the NFA. That resolution, she continued, was that the Government be pressed for total de-rating of the first £20 PLV.

The speaker went on to say that she knew that every member of the Council was being pressed for services for his own particular area, but she appealed to them not to press for them this year.

[[…]]

Correspondence. Arrears of Rates

I read with interest the discussion at Cork County Council on arrears of rates due by Government departments.

I say more power to Mr. P. J. Molloy and the councillors who supported him in his motion that “Proceedings be taken against a minister wherever necessary,” to recover arrears of rates.

It was stated that £8,003 was due by Government departments for arrears of rates. A total of £5,959 was due by the Minister for Transport and Power for rates on Cork Airport.

I hope when they are proceeding to recover these arrears of rates they will also include a sum to cover the cost of interest which will have been charged to the County Council on their overdraft.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Council should sue Minister

Sir. I read with interest the discussion at Cork County Council on arrears of rates due by Government Departments.

I say more power to Mr. P. J. Molloy and the Councillors who supported him in his motion that “Proceedings be taken against a Minister wherever necessary” to recover arrears of rates.

It was stated that £8,003 was due by Government Departments for arrears of rates.

I hope when they are proceeding to recover those arrears of rates they will also include a sum to cover the cost of interest which will have been charged to the County Council on their overdraft. Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow.

Handsome Mahagony mantlepiece for sale, tiled surround and tiled kerb (dismantled). A bargain at £6. Too large for my room. Seen any day between 11 am and 4 pm. Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride.

At Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow. On Wednesday, 12th February, at 4 pm. For Miss Elizabeth Bobbett: Grazing on 11 Irish acres until 1st January, 1965. Terms at Auction.

Wicklow. Restful Holiday Accommodation for two ladies or gents, vacancy 28th June to 10th July, or late August, £6-6-0 per week, full board. Apply Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.

My dear May. Here is to say we were delighted when Jim arrived on Friday 29th May with his sister Josie. We were not expecting him till Saturday and were only making up their beds. Thank you ever so much for your lovely gift of such a beautiful Maple leaf Brosch. I shall treasure it and I had not a Brosch that I could wear in a coat. It has been greatly admired already. We had two beautiful sunny hot days 29th and 30th May and the Countryside here looked its best and Jim and Josie fell in love with Kilbride.

But since 1st June we are back to winter, cold stormy and very wet. You must be very proud of your fine husband and family. He said Kay was looking wonderful. It was a great Joy for them to meet as we have no electrics here. I took Jim next door to Father Breen, CC, to plug in his razor, we are very neighbourly round here.

When Jim returns here, we are going down to Father Breen’s to have the children’s Tapes recorded. We have not heard half Jims news yet, as they had to rush off that Saturday to get across the “Border” before 9 pm.

Am glad to say dearest Kay is very well and her hand nearly normal except when it is cold. Fond love to you and children from Lillie Bobbett.

Letting of Land. By Public Auction at Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow. On Tuesday, 16th June, at 5 pm. For Miss Elizabeth Bobbett: Grazing on 3 acres for Cattle only for 6 months. Terms at Auction.

At Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow on Wednesday, 10th February, at 5 pm. For Miss Elizabeth Bobbett. Grazing on 14 Irish acres in two divisions (11 and 3 acres), cattle only, until 1st January, 1966. Carefully herded. Terms at Auction.

My dear May. I am so sorry you were worried at not having had a letter from Kay for so long. However, she has made up for it and gives you all her news now. She is really wonderfully well, gets odd upsets like her arthritism trouble last June, and at times gets very tired. She went off cigs for a few weeks but was so tired, lack of energy, she had to go back on them again. She was very busy past months as I had guests end of August and all September also Kay upholstered 4 chairs with tapestry, took them all asunder and new webbing, etc. Now she is starting mending a Limerick Lace Alb for our curate and making a curtain for behind the sacred Heart Status in our lovely little church. The church has been recently painted up lovely, but the red curtain clashes with the blue walls so she has got old gold same material to make one for it. We are always glad to get your news. Any chance you would send Kay a “Tape” of your family for Xmas. We have one electric light in Kitchen and a 3-point play for an iron so we could borrow a tape recorder to play it for Kay.

We had a wonderful hour looking at all and heaving the children and you, when Jim was here. We are delighted to have the water on tap now in the house and in the yard. I used to have to carry or draw it 300 Yards up the road.

I am very well also, though slowing up a bit. However, at 67 one must expect that I don’t feel 27.

Rushing this for post, on my way to borrow sweeps brushes to sweep my Chimneys before bad weather sets in and we must have daily fires. Cheerio and God Bless you all. From Lillie.

Letting of Lands and Sale of Hay and Straw by Public Auction. 1. At Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow, on Wednesday, 2nd February, at 2.30 pm. For Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett. Grazing on 14 Irish Acres in two divisions (11 and 3 acres); cattle only, until 1st January, 1967, Terms at Auction. [[…]]

Criticism unjustified

In your issue of 9th July you published a letter from “Small Wicklow Farmer,” Baltinglass, who criticises Mr. Michael Byrne, Chairman of the Leinster Milk Producers’ Association. Your correspondent, when he had the impudence to write such a letter should have had the courage to sign his name to it. To my knowledge, no one has done more to bring unity amongst the NFA and LMPA than Michael Byrne. Elizabeth Bobbett, County President, NFA, Wicklow.

My dear May and Jim. Just a line to tell you that Kay is splendid at present, she has just finished getting a course of injections, one each week (4) which should protect her from getting cold and bronchitis this winter: she is wonderfully, active and has lost the “tiredness” bouts she used to get. Thank you both for kind thoughts and wishes and Christmas card which arrived yesterday. We are having a bad storm since yesterday, gusts of 135 miles per hour. Thank God no damage to us here.

Our farmers are having a bad time with cattle prices a flop and they can not sell them, so our National Farmers’ Association has staged several public demonstrations, and when the Minister for agriculture would not receive them, they sat in the street out side the Department for 20 days and nights, having marched from all Counties to Dublin for the demonstration.

A very happy Christmas to you all, from Lil.

At Springfield, Kilbride, County Wicklow, On Friday, 3rd February, at 2.30 pm, for Miss Elizabeth Bobbett. Grazing on 14 Irish Acres, in two divisions until 1/12/1967, for Cattle only. Terms at Auction.

My dear May. I received your letter and also the one to Kay on Saturday 27 May. There were posted by you on 24th May, very quick delivery! You will have received my green shortie before now telling you dearest Kay was gone to St Michaels Hospital Dun Laoghaire. She went to hospital on 24th May and was very poorly leaving here, though she walked down stairs with help, but was put on stretches in the sun-parlour and taken to the ambulance on the road. I saw her on Thursday in hospital and she seemed very comfortable and had a good night and was happy. She was x-rayed Thursday morning. I went up yesterday Sunday and she did not look at all as good as on Thursday and was in great pain in her back. The poor darling wanted me to bring her back here with me, but of course I could not. She was able to read all your letters and sent special thanks to Stephen for his card. She said there was no sense in you coming over just now as she will be several weeks we expect in hospital, so it would be better if you come later on when she could enjoy your visit. It is so kind of you to offer to come help me nurse her, but there is nothing you could do at present to help I don’t bother taking other paying guests if I am looking after Kay. She is my first thought, to keep her happy.

I have two of my old Paying Guests coming one in July first two weeks and one in September first week. I won’t book others till I see how Kay goes on.

If they can cure the pain in her back, I have every hope she will pull up again, but if she has to be kept under strong pills, I could not see her lasting months. She has got very thin and eating very little food, the one raw egg taken with a drop of sherry over it, is the most nourishment she takes in the day. I shall be going up to-morrow evening to see her and will write you again on Wednesday.

Love to you all. From Lillie.

My dear May. I am sorry to have to bring you sad news, but you won’t be too surprised. Dearest Kay died on Sunday 18th June. She was quite conscious up to the end. She was saying prayers for the dying to herself all the morning, had taken a cup of Complan early, she received Holy Communion at 9.15 am and was gone to her heavenly reward in five minutes later, may her dear soul rest in peace. I am sure she went straight to heaven; she was so good and kind to everyone. I know dear May you will miss her terribly, she was so devoted to you and to each one of your family. I was up with her since Friday evening. Jeane Crookes sent me a phone message on Friday 6 pm saying Kay was poorly. So when I saw Kay at 9.15 pm, she was better and delighted to see me and took a cup of coffee I had for her. I was with her all day Saturday and she had no pain but very weak, and the day being extra hot I kept fanning her with a book, and she would say “that was lovely”. She told me not to go back when I was leaving her at 6.30 pm and Jeane popped in to see her at 9.15 pm and she was resting and not in pain. Jeane says that once I came up, she was at ease, she really wanted to be with me, I was receiving Holy Communion for her the very time she died.

It was her express wishes “that we do not put the death in the papers till after the funeral and that relatives far away could meet the funeral at Glasnevin, and no flowers. She left a list of who was to be told she had died. Well in spite of such secrecy, if the death had been in the papers the graveyard would not have held all who came to the church for removal of remains. Only a few then came to the graveyard.

The news got around to her colleagues in the Department of Domestic science and there were many of her old friends came and sent Mass cards. I shall send you a detailed list later. To you and all the family dear May I send my heartfelt sympathy. I shall be very very lonely for her and everyone in the district here loved her. There were 41 Mass Cards yesterday, and I am sure many more will come.

We are having a Requiem Mass here in our little church next Tuesday 27th June. Your letter and Stephen’s arrived. Jennie McElligott is on hospital had an operation on Monday last for gall stones and had had jaundice. And Hugh is in USA at the moment.

I am writing to Meg Beveridge now. I am doing all the personal correspondence. Her solicitor Mr John C. Cullen is seeing after all alone. With loving sympathy from Lillie Bobbett.

Wicklow. Restful Holiday accommodation for three guests; booking now for August. 7 guineas per week, full board. Apply Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield Cottage, Kilbride, Wicklow.

Lost and found. Stray Collie. Here since 7th August. Owner can have same by paying cost of advertisement. Elizabeth Bobbett. Springfield, Kilbride.

My dear May. I have your grand long letter of 27th September beside me it took over a month to come. I know I have left you a long time without a letter, but I have been busy as I had Paying Guests up to 3rd October and then had an old friend staying with me till 31st October I cannot settle down to write letters unless I have the house quiet, I usually start my letters about 10 pm to mid-night. And with people staying, I cannot remain up that late. I am out so much during the day with the animals on the farm, that I feel I must me sociable and chat or play cards when I am in with my guests.

I had to read your letter several times to get to know “who is doing what”. Am glad Elizabeth got the car and hope it is a success. And that your old one will last over the winter. It is wonderful how children out there are able to get small part time jobs and make some cash. You certainly had a very worrying time in getting all their Health records in order for their new schools. I sincerely hope that you and Jim have had a little more rest, and better news of dear Josie. I did not know of her accident, how many years ago did it happen. She never wrote to Kay from the time she was here with Jim. And Kay often wondered at that.

I hope Peter, I don’t know his other name, has settled down to his job and house. You always seem on the move out there. I have a couple of Divine Words to send you but did not read them yet. Yet they are the best of all the religious books. I will send them on during the week, but they go by ordinary mail so will take a long time to get to you.

I cannot remember if I sent you the Memoriam cards of darling Kay, so I enclose two now. They are very nice. I got 60 printed and have only four left now. I have only finished answering all the letters and Mass cards this week. I send you a list of the Mass cards this week. I send you a list of the Mass Cards you might like to know who sent them.

I am calling to see Mr Cullen the solicitor when I go to Dublin next week as I have to give him my list of small expenses, and he wrote me yesterday to say he was ready to complete the business. I sent a large suitcase of her clothes to the Sisters of the Holy Rosary (Killeshandra) Sale of Work, and I have some more odds and ends to send to the Medical Missionary of Mary Sale of Work.

There were 8 Sisters of the Holy Rosary at Kay’s requiem Mass here at Kilbride, as it was their Chaplin who said the Mass, they were on holidays at Brittas Bay at the time and some of them came back here to breakfast.

I will get my cousin Kevin Kelly who is a Jeweller, to post out the few bites of jewellery. I showed him all she had and he said there was very little of value only her gold watch. But I know you would like all that would be useful as you have so many girls in the family. There were some strings of beads white and yellow and glassey ones which I sent to Sales of Work as there were not worth the postage.

I believe Nuns can dispose of anything at those Sales ant it all helps the Missions so will bring prayers and graces for Kay. I kept one of her coats and a tweed frock and some cardigans and winter blouse for myself, and I gave Eileen Beveridge a coat and few other articles she liked.

So many friends used to send Kay cardigans, bed socks and scarves at Christmas she did not know what to do with them. I never wear scarves. The little white jewel case you sent her, I gave to Diana McElligott. Jennis and Hugh and Diana often come to see me; the son Gerald does not come often he does not like me, because when he was very small and bold one night when I was staying with them I gave him a good smack which he never forgot.

Excuse my typing mistakes as this machine takes on odd jump at times particularly when I hit the “a”; and it wont spell for me.

I am a bit tired to-night so good night and a big God bless you. With fond love to you all from

Lillie

Monday 6th November. Am feeling fine to-day had a good sleep two nights. Thanks a thousand times for suggestions that I should go visit you next spring. But it is completely out of the question. I can never take more than two or three nights away. Have no one to look after the animals which are my livelihood. Now May dear, you very kindly asked if there was any little souvenir of Canada that I would fancy? You sent me that lovely Maple leaf coat ornament which is very often admired. It is one of the few bits of jewellery I wear. I sold a lot of my jewellery and also most of my darling mothers’ some years ago when I needed cash to buy a car, also years ago I had to sell some to help pay my Rates. I am too old now at 69 last October to be collecting things, in fact I am going to start getting things in order like Kay, so that when God calls me, there won’t be much to annoy my friends.

When my cousin Moya Malone died a few years ago, I got a lot of her shoes and things that fitted me, and now some of Kay’s so I have enough clothes to do my lifetime.

I shall send you my photos soon. Lil.

My dear May. I have before me your last letter 1st December sending me your good wishes for Christmas and nice Card. You had the Flu then so hope you are quite better and feeling better since you went to see the Specialist some months ago. Also hope Barry is OK and all the rest of the family.

I expect you are snowed up now, as we get very bad reports of snow from USA but Canada is not mentioned. England and Europe have had it bad. We escaped well in Ireland. Up north they had it fairly heavy last week. Jock Harbison was up there one day last week at the funeral of his cousin Dr. James Austin Harbison and Jock wrote me to say they buried him in 10 inches of snow. Jock’s wife and two of his children were laid up over the Christmas so he said in his letter that central heating and every comfort did not seem to keep flu away. I had a very nice quiet Christmas. I had a friend Miss Halpin here from 22 December to 4th January. She might have stayed longer only she was afraid of getting snowed up here, and went back on the afternoon bus, only to find the snow much worse in Dublin. We are so near the sea here it does not stay long. But we had several days heavy frost last week. Our road was a sheet of ice. I could not take out the car, nor let the cattle out of the stables.

I am kept very busy with the animals. A young cow calved 19th December was not expected till about 15th January, and I was afraid to milk her for several days till I saw she would not kick. I had to go a mile for my friend Tom Nolan and bring him up morning and evening to milk her for the first five days. I can now manage her on my own and she is really very quiet and gives a lot of milk. But it takes me nearly 20 minutes to milk her. I can do the old cow in less than 5 minutes. I have 7 cattle in the yard to feed, so it takes me 1½ hours in morning and 1 hour evening to do the yard, by the time cattle calves, hens and cats are all done.

Thanks May for the bundle of papers you sent me before Christmas, they took a month to come. Had not time to read them all yet. In a way it is not worth sending papers to me as I don’t get time for much reading. I am sending you some this week the Word. I wrote them saying I would keep up the subscription that Kay had. I got several letters and cards for her, so must now write her friends telling them the sad news. One was from Kitty O’Keef, the maid she had at 148.

I expect by now you have received the Watch and few broches and odds and ends which I gave to Kevin Kelly to send by registered post early in December. The Amber beads I remember Kay telling me were found by her father long ago in a bog near Kells. The pearls are good. I kept the nice little diamminty (I don’t know how to spell it) Maple leaf broach and ear rings which you sent her not so long ago. I was going to a big Dinner party and wearing her dress only that Maple leaf to shine, so I hope you don’t mind me keeping it. I can leave it to Norah.

I had to say grace and propose the toast to Ireland at the dinner there were over 400 at the dinner. I enjoyed it and had a few good waltzes later that night. I got driven with friends near here so had not the worry of driving at night. I was not home till 3 am. I was complimented by several on my few words and was heard all over the room as we had a good loud speaker. I met many old friends, some of whom had followed me in 1939 the day I rode the white horse at the head of 5’000 farmers marching through Dublin.

The Foot and Mouth Disease in England and Wales has been dreadful since October and not clearing up yet. We thought it was on the wane as only one or two cases for past couple of days. But to-night there are 9 new cases in England some of them in new areas. We are all praying hard it will not come here. Everything is disrupted here on account of it. All racing hunting coursing etc. etc. are banned and no public meetings, and the Government appealed to Irish people in Britain not to come home for Christmas, and they co-operated very well. Many who did come home and went on land have been heavily fined. They cannot go on land for 21 days after coming from England.

I have no family news as I have not heard from any one since Christmas.

Hope you have better news from Joes when you heard last. If Jim has to come over to settle her affairs, I hope we will come stay a couple of days with me and have a real rest, this place is grand for a rest. Glad he likes his work so why change a job when one is happy at it. I have no more to say and it is bed time so I wish you one and all a very very happy New Year and many of them and a big God bless to you.

Love from Lillie.

County Wicklow NFA. A Supper Dance Barrys Hotel, Rathdrum. Tuesday, 12th March, 1968, at 8 pm. Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, County Wicklow President, will present National Plaques to those members who were imprisoned and who marched in the Farmers’ Rights’ Campaign. Please contact your Branch Officers or the County Secretary at once for tickets; the number available is not a large one. Subscription 12/6.

My dear May. I am in here since 28 March with a very sore right eye and shingles in my head right side. The eye was all scarlet up the half of my face like raw-liver colour. The eye and face is much better but the shingles have not started to clear up yet. I am hoping to be let out by end of week and shall go to my brother Parkie in Donabate for a weak.

Nuns and nurses could not be kinder, I have too many visitors and far too much flowers and fruit etc. sent in. Thanks for your nice Easter Card which arrived about 21 March. I also got your shorter letter. I wonder if you get received Kays watch and couple of broaches etc., they were sent by surface mail last December or early January.

The weather is warming up now so by the time I get back to Wicklow the grass will be green and the cattle out in the fields. My neighbours are looking after all for me. God bless them. My Doctor has just been round and says I will not be out of there till after Easter. Hoping you have picked up again and wishing you all a very happy Easter. Love from Lillie.

Am not able to write more now. God bless you all.

My dear May. I got your long letter of 23rd April on my arrival home here on 3rd May. I left hospital on 26th April and went to my brother Dr. Parkie at Donabate till 3rd May. I brought a friend back here with me to look after me and she stayed till last Thursday 23rd May. I am alone now but am not doing any farm work except feeding a few chickens. A good friend is milking the cow and now that the weather is fine all the cattle and young calves are out in the fields thank God.

I am very much better, but get a lot of neuralgia in my head, and the eye won’t respond very well. That is why I have been so long in answering your letter. I find it difficult to write much or read much. I am told this neuralgia follows shingles and I must put up with it for some months. I have tablets to take for it when it gets bad. It is worse at night than day time. The shingles did not go into my eye and the sight is perfect, but what ever virus I got in it was sudden and bad, as I was anointed the day after I went into hospital and was delirious for several days. The nun only told me this a few days before I was discharged. My eye and forehead on right side were the colour of raw liver. I was a horrid sight for days.

Parkie said my blood pressure was very high and I was to be very careful and not do any work, but my local Doctor who knows me for years said I was not to worry over that as it was only a little above normal and did not need special treatment. Enough about myself.

I note that Jim is booked to leave 23rd July for Ireland and return 12th August. I shall look forward to meeting him again. I hope he can spare a day and night with me here, even if I have Paying Guests at that time, I can always get him put up near here as many keep guests just for bed and breakfast round here in summer. I know he will be busy and rushed, so I leave it to himself to make his own arrangements about coming to see me. Perhaps your brother Jim might drive him down here, or if he comes to Wicklow by bus, I can meet him in Wicklow town. There are seven busses a day from Dublin to Wicklow.

I have some photos of Kay and her big Cookery book with all her wonderful recipes for you, and her prayer books which Jim might take back to you instead of me posting them. I don’t do much fancy cooking so will copy out the few things I might need such as Salads Dressings, and Icing for cakes.

I was very interested in your long drive 200 miles to Ogdensbury, and your visit to Miss Biscoby, also about the children and their interest in the political people. But what a car only doing 9 miles to the gallon. You must be millionaire to run such, or Gas must be very cheap. My little Austin seven 1962 I tested it on a run from here to Donabate in February and it was doing 50 miles to the gallon but our petrol for the good grade is now 6/2 a gallon.

I shall say a wee prayer for the children that they get their exams. I have a list of children who have asked me to pray for them. Exams seem to be so important now a days.

No, we never got to Goatstown to visit McCarthys. I was expecting Jennie and Hugh McElligott and Diana down this afternoon as she wrote and said if fine they would come. So I had the tea table half ready, only to cut the bread, but they never came, and it was a lovely day here, quite warm and sunny, but I have just heard from a boy who called with a message, that it was pouring all day in Dublin. Diana is taller than her Mother and is a lovely girl. She is about 17 now. I think the stamp on this letter is a new one, and I have another new one for my next letter. Is it Barry or Stephen who collects stamps?

Must say good night and God bless you all. Fondest love from Lillie.

I shall have Masses said for darling Kay’s anniversary. I miss her terribly. A year yesterday she went to hospital.

My dear May. I hear the postal Strike in Canada is over, one may be starting here next Monday, so I hope this will reach you some time soon. I was delighted to see Jim, only his visit was so short. I think he could do with a restful holiday when he got back to you. He looked tired I thought. Josie looked real well and in good form. We had a very nice lunch out at Hunter’s Hotel Rathnew. I had a Paying Guest staying so Jim most kindly took us to lunch. I had my lunch table set and had half the lunch prepared when they arrived about 11.30 am. I had the beds ready if they would have stayed.

Thank you very much for the nice little gifts you sent me, the bit of Canadian wood is particularly nice, it is so unusual. Am sorry to say the neuralgia in my head after the Shingles is still bad, and pain in my eye, but for the past three days I think my eye has improved, as I find I am using it when I write or type. I was only writing with one eye, so had many mistakes.

I had rather a busy summer with Paying Guests which was welcome as it helps finances a lot. There is so much unproductive work has to be done on land such as cutting hedges cleaning drains etc, I find it very hard to have to employ a man many weeks.

We have had wonderful warm summer and very little rain, in fact in some parts Water was getting back to work and their schools very short till the weather broke last week.

Expect your family will be getting back to work and their schools very soon now. I may go to Parkie in Donabate end of September for a few days. I have pigs in the yard fattening which I have to feed three times a day, so when they are sold, I may get away. I have not been to Dublin since I came home from hospital 3rd May. I am afraid to drive that far the traffic is so bad and my eye not too good.

Jean Crooks came to see me recently, she is a lovely person. Did you ever write to her? Must go to post now so cheerio and a big God Bless you and love to all from Lillie.

You can get a lot on these pages if you type. I find it difficult to make out your writing sometimes, it is so cramped.

My dear May. I have left you a long time without a reply to your long letter of 19th Sept in which you enclosed me some lovely coloured photos and one taken at Hunter’s Hotel when Jim was here. I did not recognise the coloured one of my house taken over the wall, till I recognised myself in my blue dress. Yes the one taken of Jim and me with our backs to my wild rose garden, came out very well. I am not good at the gardening, Kay put me to shame at it. I only slipped my geraniums to-day and brought some of them in to the sun-parlour from the frost. We had some very wet days lately and Friday last a very bad thunder storm, lightening, and heavy rain, all the telephones round here were put out of action and those depending on electricity for their Milking Machines were without it. Some were even without light, but I had no damage done thank God, and as I kept my Calor Gas light I had plenty of light. I have not a phone. I am glad to tell you that for the past three weeks there is a great improvement in the pains in my eye and head from the remains of the Shingles I had last April. I have only taken three tablets in past three weeks. I was taking six or more a day.

I see by your letter that after Jim and Jose left me they went to Bunclody to look for your Mother’s grave but could not find it. They left me with the intention of going to Ennis so my directions for there must have put them a long way off their track, or perhaps on their way they saw a sign post with Bunclody on it so changed their plans.

I am sorry to see you are suffering from your back and neck, and hope both are improved. Perhaps it is a “slipped disc” you are suffering from. Doctors often miss up on that, and want people to have an operation, whereas it can be cured by an osteopath with manipulating. I don’t know if I have spelled osteopath correctly so excuse. I have no dictionary handy.

How are the French lessons getting on? And the Bowling? It will help to keep you both fit. I hope Rosemary got in to the Teacher’s College and is doing well. You will soon be thinking of them all getting home for Christmas holidays. I do hope you will get over here for a holiday next year. It would do you good to meet your relations again. I have not met any of them since shortly after Kay died, but had letters from Eileen at the anniversary time. Have not seen Jeane for several months they were abroad during the summer twice I think.

I was quite busy with Paying Guests from 15th June till early Oct. except for August I only had about ten days booked, but I was glad to get an odd week free, to get settled up again. It is hard work when I have to do all the cooking. I can only get a girl to come in to do the wash up after lunch and a bit of laundry.

Well I had a wonderful 70th birthday on 4th Oct at Parkie’s place in Donabate. Brother Willie came over also from London so the three of us were so happy together. I stayed till 7th October with them.

I got a lot of nice birthday cards from friends and relations. The relations all enclosed a £1 note and the brothers gave me a few £ notes each, as they say it is the best present to give I can get what I want. One old friend from England sent me £5 so I got a new tyre for the car with it. I got a wonderful surprise when I arrived at Donabate, there was a beautiful big bouquet of flowers for me and lovely card from the East Wicklow Branch of the Leinster Milk Producer’s Association of which I am their County Secretary for many years past. I was thrilled at such a nice gesture, particularly as it showed Parkie and Willie that the farmers do appreciate all the work I do for them.

I have to attend a big Dinner Party in Bray on 27th November and propose the Toast To Ireland for the National Farmers’ Association dinner. I am County Wicklow President NFA, their first dinner party was last year and was such a success they are having another this month.

“That Mexico Fiasco”

I was disgusted to read Jim Norton’s criticism of the Irish team at the Olympic Games as reported in the Irish Independent on November 2. He regards the “poor showing which Irish horses and riders put up as a serious matter for thousands of farmers who are breeding horses, as it was a rare occasion we had of giving our horses international advertising.” He also stated: “A good deal of white-washing has apparently been done to cover the cracks which appeared in our horses and riders in Mexico.”

I think he should apologise for his nasty unwarranted remarks about our horses and riders. It must be remembered that Ireland is a very small country, and our selection of riders for show-jumping, not to mention the Olympics, is very limited, compared with the population of our competitor countries.

That we had riders, ladies and gentlemen, who were prepared to give their time to training and travelling and give their horses, and that both should risk their lives in the contest, I as a horse-lover applaud and express my greatest admiration and thanks. When one considers that the course was at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet one must contrast that climate with home conditions. Also remember animals cannot be treated like a racing motor car. It is inanimate and can have its plugs and points and jets, etc., etc. tuned for the climate. We don’t know what notion an animal takes when it suddenly refuses at a jump. I never knew the good Barrymore to refuse before.

Mr. Norton evidently would like to see a semi-state body take over the setting-up of an Olympic team, such body to get finance to buy the best horses and get special trained riders. Does he envisage turning a sporting event into a financial project where fees will be paid to riders like some football players? That Irish horses were well to the fore we only have to read of the success of Miss Coates on the little Stroller. When asked how it was bred she said: “Irish” but could not say if it was “full-blood.” Also there was Mr. Softee (3rd prize) and on the US team there were Kilkenny, Irish-bred and Foster, both of which were very impressive.

My dear May. I send you and all the family my very best wishes for a very happy Christmas and many bright New Years. I hope you are all keeping well. It is a good while since I had a letter from you. How are you getting on at your French Classes, and the Bowling games? Expect you have your cold weather by now. The weather here has been very mild up to last night, it is wintery to-day but no rain or snow here yet. There was bad flooding down south past few days and some snow in Sligo.

There has been much disturbance up North of late. I shall send you some bits of newspapers about it. All the churches had special prayers to-day up north for peace and Justice. Do you ever get papers sent you from Belfast?

I am not sending Christmas cards this year, as I have a bit of good news to tell my friends so am writing letters instead. I went to Parkie to Donabate for my 70th birthday 4th October brother Willie came over from London to be with me. We had three days together so happy. When I arrived at Donabate there was a lovely surprise for me from the East Wicklow Milk Producers’ Association, a beautiful big Bouquet of Flowers and nice birthday card. My brothers were as thrilled about it as I was. Such a nice thought from them.

The County Wicklow Executive of the National Farmer’s Association held their Annual Dinner in the International Hotel Bray on 27th November there were 400 at it and the service was wonderful, we had seven courses.

I am County President so had to say Grace and propose the Toast to Ireland. We had the National President Mr T.J. Maher and several important Guests. I was made two presentations, being now 70. One from the NFA, a lovely Silver Tea Set four pieces nicely engraved. The other from the East Wicklow Milk Producers’ Association a nice Wooden Wall Plaque nicely inscribed “To Miss Bobbett in appreciation of her devoted service” and a Handsome Cheque “To Miss Bobbett with sentiments of profound esteem” from the Members and some Ex-Members of East Wicklow Milk Producers’ Association. I am their County Secretary for past 20 years. Both Associations spoke very highly of me could not have paid me higher tributes. I got so bewildered when I saw the Silver Tea Set on the table, I don’t know what I said when I got up to speak, but anyway I got great applause and had them all laughing.

I did not dance much, the band was too modern for my liking, mostly quick steps and as we say “lepping around”. I was amused at the Mini Skirts, one was more like a bathing Togs.

I have had a bad cold for past three weeks but it is now on the mend. The pain in my head from the Shingles is still bad at times. But I have given up taking tablets for it. I have slowed up a lot in my work and have cut down on my farm work.

I don’t milk a cow now, so need not go to the yard so early.

We have to keep British Summer time all this winter and it is a curse. The children have to go out to school in the dark morning and there are many complaints, but the people did not complain soon enough. We are 1½ ahead of God’s time, the natural time. I feel it very much when I get up, I have no energy till it comes to God’s time.

There was a nice photo of me in the paper recently and I have ordered some, so will send you one by ordinary mail when I get them. I am staying at home for Christmas and having a friend as Paying Guest. I could not afford to go away for four nights, as it is difficult to get neighbours to feed animals at such times.

Now May dear, I hope that you will be able to take a holiday home here in 1969, as only the Lord knows how long I will be here, and I would not mind how soon He took me, if I could get some things straighten out first. As I get older life will get more difficult for me.

Now good night and God bless you and many happy Christmases to you and all the family from

Lillie Bobbett.