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Franklin Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 33, 24 March 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

“Wherever you go in New Zealand,” wrote Colonel Chasemore, in a popular London weekly, “you will find the tobacco of the country on sale. Even the ‘wayback’ country storekeepers keep it in stock. Its popularity is easily accounted for. Although quite moderate in price, it’s really as good as it’s ‘cracked up to be.’ The tobacco plant flourishes in various parts of the Dominion, and many a man on the land finds it a protable side-line to cultivate because the dried leaf commands a high price per ton and is in steady demand. New Zealand tobacco has won the good opinion of visiting experts, and containing but little nicotine, it is safer to smoke than perhaps any other tobacco. You can indulge ad. lib. without fear of consequences. This they tell me, is owing to the toasting of the leaf, which process appears to work wonders.” Colonel Chasemore refers to the five brands so familiar to Maoriianders: Navy Cut No. 3, Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold, Cavendish and Cut Plug No. 10.