INDUSTRIES’ COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14191, 28 April 1919, Page 5

INDUSTRIES’ COMMITTEE.

TOBACCO-GROWING URGED. [Per Press Association.] NAPIER, Saturday. The Industries Committee sat in Napier to-day. * The first evidence tendered concerned the tobacco industry. Various witnesses stated 'that Hawke’s Bay and Nelson-grown tobacco was excellent, and it would pay farmers to the crop. Government help should be given to this new industry. Mr A. B. Failover, manager of the Hawko’s Bay Tobacco Company, thought that the company was entitled to a return of duty paid. Mr T. H. Edmondson, the manager or the Acetone Weeding Company, complained of the duty paid on the plant and of the excessive railway freights. Mr C. 11. Edwards,* manager of the Napier Gas Company, said his company was living from hand to mouth so far as coal supplies were concerned. He urged that State vessels should carry State coal. He thought an increase of freight was unnecessary. Mr S. Harris, cap manufacturer, complained of the excessive railway freights. . , . Mr David Whyte, Hastings, asked that the Mining Act should be amended in the direction of improving the mining leases. A smelting and bullion plant and a mint should be established in Wellington.