EMPIRE-GROWN TOBACCO

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3191, 7 February 1928, Page 4

EMPIRE-GROWN TOBACCO

The imports into Great Britain of tobacco grown within the Empire are increasing so rapidly that American growers are believed to be concerned about the encroachments on a market which they have consistently dominated, says the Times. In ten months of last year imports from the oversea Dominions amounted to nearly 34,000,000 lb., as compared with slightly under 16,000,0001b. in the corresponding period of 1925, and '25,200,0001b. in ten months of 1926. Imports of American and other foreign tobaccos, which were 131,950,3581b. in ten months of 1926, declined for the same period of last year to 124,735,0071b. The movement is interesting, and it is likely to extend. A primary cause of the increased consumption of Dominion tobaccos up to the present has been the preference of 2s OJd a pound in duty conceded by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Empire product, and a substantial proportion of the leaf has been used for blending purposes or has been restricted to coarse grades which have commanded a retail sale chiefly because of the low price at which they j have been offered in the shops. But

Bhodesia, Nyasaland, and Canada are growing tobaccos of fine quality which are attracting smokers on their own merits. Mixtures of British African tobaccos, sold at Is an ounce, have enjoyed a steady, though comparatively limited, popularity for several years among those to whom they have been known. What has been lacking in, the past to extend the market for this highgrade leaf has been business enterprise on a large scale, and there are indications that this is now to be associated with the industry. It is considered that Empire-grown tobacco, ~with the support of the preference, can take the place of American tobacco to an enormous extent, particularly as it is claimed that the Dominion leaf of | the best type is now equal to the finest that is produced in other tobaccogrowing countries.