A NEW INDUSTRY.

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1929, Page 6

A NEW INDUSTRY.

Scientific research is alino: t daily opening new avenues for the manufacturer and we are becoming quite accustomed to reading of some new wonder about to be marketed for either the advancement or pleasure oi mankind. Likewise, we periodically read, with great pleasure, of the steadily mounting quality and value r,f our primary products—Butter and Wool. In fact, we have almost become settled in our views that butter and wool are and must for all time continue to be our prinniy products. Tn recent years an entirely new primary indu't y has been struggling to gain a place for itself, and upon investigation we have been more than surprised with the success and future possibilities of this new National asset —the Tobacco industry. Some little time back, Great Britain apparently decided that its huge expenditure on tobacco should be diverted to and retained by the Empire and the British Government granted a preferential duty of 2/- per lb in favour of Empire grown tobacco leaf. This preference has resulted in o great increase of Empirte importations. but the tremendous expansion of tobacco smoking has more than outstripped the increase in Empire production. In the year 1923 Great Britain imported 173 million pounds of tobacco leaf, and of this only nine million pounds was Empire grown. In 1925 consumption had increased to 189 mil lion pounds (an increase of 13 mi.lion pounds in two years) and Empiregrown had increased to 14 million pounds (an increase of five million pounds). It is clear, therefore, that the British market is not only greatly increasing its consumption, but that whilst Empire-gVown leaf has obviously found great favour, it has not. built up its quantity to keep pace with the consumption. Over £1,600,000 was sent out of New Zealand in the year 1926 for tobacco. Although a small quantity of local leaf is produced, it is apparent we have only touched the fringe of our own consumption. As yet, Now Zealand has not seriously entered the export field as the majority of local grown leaf has been consumed in the Dominion.

That we. can produce an excellent class of leaf is now proven beyond all doubt and local tobacco is stcadi’y g-owing in favour on our own market. It therefore seems that the future of tobacco culture in this country is assured and we have been to some little trouble to ascertain what its moneymaking possibilities are like. If grown on suitable soil, properly handled, graded and cured in the correct manner, it is the greatest profit earner we have heard of for some time.. As on p contemporary says:- “£loo' per acre profit is not a fairy tale, but fact.” Tho Riverhead district, just north of Auckland, pror.iises to become a tobacco centre, as its soil and di matic conditions seem to be suitable for the growing of high class leaf. There now appears to be no reason why New Zealand cannot shortly be just as important in the tobacco world as it is in the butter and wool markets.

Advertisements have recently appeared in this paper inviting investors to apply for a prospectus of the New Zealand Tobacco Co. Ltd. Whilst it is not our purpose to advise anyone how and where to invest his or her money, we do feel that investors should obtain a free prospectus and study the proposition for themselves. Whilst the profits are alluring they are based on actual experience, ami are supported by Government and other experts. That there is money in tobacco we al! know, and if in the profitable investment of our funds we can assist a primary industry wc have done something worth while fo? ou • country. We feel certain that anyone who studies the possibilities of the New Zealand Tobacco Co. Ltd. will be more than convinced that it offers an attractive avenue for investment and will be a factor in advancing the future welfare of this Dominion.