N.Z. TOBACCO BOARD

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 20

N.Z. TOBACCO BOARD

Underproduction Noted In Report (N*w XssresS Praia AnocMHonl WELLINGTON, January 9. The annual report of the New Zealand'Tobacco Board, released today, indicates that local growers and manufacturers may have difficulty in filling future demands of the New Zealand market The report, which was compiled before the Government's announcement of import restrictions on cigarettes, cigars and cut tobacco, expresses concern that the domestic production is not keeping pace with consumption. It said that if New Zealand tobacco growers and manufacturers were to maintain the present percentage share of the local market in future they would have to increase production by at least 12 per cent in the next 15 years. More land' would have to be brought into production if yields from existing acreages were insufficient and more capital and labour would have to be used in manufacturing “Unless other factors intervene,” notes the report, “it seems safe to predict the industry as a whole faces a period of assured growth.” The average consumption of tobacco per head of population in New Zealand is about 5.21 b a year. The report says that fluctuations around this average figure had not been large in the period 1951-55, and unless unforeseen factors affected future consumption it should be possible to calculate from this the future needs of the industry. Using a projection of the population assuming a net increase from immigration of 5000 a year, total consumption of tobacco in the Dominion should increase by 1972 to about 14.6 m pounds from the figure of 11.1 m pounds. Production figures for 1956-57 show 4,4633761 b of tobacco at an estimated value of £922,000 were taken from 3138 acres in New Zealand. This was a drop of more than 170,0001 b of tobacco and £57,000 on the previous season. Local tobacco is blended with imported United States leaf and last season more than 6m pounds of raw tobacco leaf was imported at a cost of £l.7m.

Matterton Ram Fair (New Zealand Pros association; MASTERTON, January 9. A ten guinea increase in the average price for all sales of Romney flock rams, compared with last year’s average, was recorded today at the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association's annual ram fair. Tiiis year's average was 37| guineas. The top price of the sale was 61 guineas obtained by a Mt. Bruce breeder, Mr W. V. Buick. Southdowns will be sold tomorrow. STOCK SALES ST. ANDREWS "Thy Press” Special Service TIMARU. January 9. Fußy Ito head of fat cattle were swtod at St. Andrews sale today, over an. quality was better to— has been the case of late, with ssuw tail-end lota. From the outart fee demand was a buoyant one, espsilinj far cows, but all-round JJ® — ■ big improvement on 8—« eattla were not offered in feesia. pfimoT £3O to 0d to £43 g w IMbt, gfl to id to £33 to Sd