Rothman’s Unsure About Tobacco Purchase

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 21

Rothman’s Unsure About Tobacco Purchase

Rothman’s Tobacco Company in New Zealand does not know whether the South African company of the international firm is able to continue to buy raw tobacco from Rhodesia. The secretary of the company (Mr L. P. Hamlin) said this in a reply to a correspondent of “The Press,” who wrote: “Sir,—The chairman of directors of Rothman's (N.Z.), Ltd., was reported as saying that South African tobacco would be imported to replace Rhodesian tobacco. The South African tobacco would be identical in price, type, and quality. The Rothmans international group of cigarette companies operate 23 factories in various countries of the world. It seems probable that if there is not a Rhodesian member of the group, Rothman's (S.A.), Ltd., would at least have substantial Rhodesian interests. Is there anything to prevent Rothman's (S.A.), Ltd., from buying raw tobacco from Rhodesia?” —Yours, etc.,

Mr Hamlin said: “The statement in “The Press" attributed to our chairman was slightly misreported in that in answer to the question as to where, if required, replacement tobacco for Rhodesian imports would be procured from, Mr Lindeman stated that If the prohibition against tobacco was continued beyond 12 months, replacement tobaccos could be obtained from other Commonwealth countries, and in addition, it may be possible to obtain additional supplies of South African tobacco of similar type, quality and price. “In respect of your correspondent’s comments regarding the Rothmans international group, it is correct

that the group does operate factories in many countries of the world, each company being an independent autonomous unit,” he said.

“In respect of your correspondent’s ultimate question, this would be a matter entirely for the Government of South Africa, and we have no knowledge as to whether or not the Rothman’s South African Company is able to continue to buy raw tobacco from Rhodesia," said Mr Hamlin.