Farmers paid a high price for ‘Dev-ious’ conduct

RYLE DWYER’S unqualified canonisation of Eamon de Valera (May 9) needs clarification so that history is not distorted or the young misled.

Being of an earlier vintage, I have some personal experience and memories which he does not. Specifically, his references to the Economic War are interesting but not complete.

Yes, the validity/sustainability of Britain’s claim to payment of the land annuities was in question, but never submitted to arbitration as Dev wanted.

The cute Brits took a simple, clever shortcut which bypassed his wishes, thereby collecting more than the moneys at stake. They imposed a tariff of £6 per head on imports of Irish cattle – a major part of their commercial value at the time.

Dev saved face by not paying any more annuities, John Bull laughed all the way to the bank and the only losers were the cattle producers who saw value down by at least £6 per head with no profit left. But worse was to come. Farmers naturally thought that since the state was not now paying land annuities and farmers were exceeding their previous contributions, through the now reduced prices for their cattle, that the collection of annuities would end.

Dev blandly said, regarding his pre-election slogan “No more land annuities” that he never said he would not collect them. He took steps to do so, including forcible seizures of livestock, confrontations between farmers and armed units within the gardaí known as the Broy Harriers. These encounters resulted in loss of life, physical injuries and many imprisonments.

In effect, these developments ensured farmers continued to pay land annuities directly to Britain through the cattle tax until the original capital amounts were discharged. The Irish government never justified collection of moneys it never advanced in the first place, and which it repudiated as a debt due to those who did.

‘Dev-ious’ conduct? You can say that again.

I have a vivid memory of the utter despair of my parents when they were forced to sell cattle almost two years old for £2-17s-6d each, (£2.825).

Buyers for calves were scarce, even at 2/6 each (8 for £1), until a subsidy of 10/- (50p) was paid for each skin, which earned Jim Ryan, Minister for Agriculture, the title of the “greatest calf butcher in history”.

Maybe Dev has more than one reason to turn in his grave.

The need for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in recording the past is important.

Liam Cashman

Glanmire

Co Cork