TOBACCO GROWING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 23 December 1933, Page 3

TOBACCO GROWING

MEETING AT MOTUEKA PROPOSED ASSOCIATION DEFERRED (From Our Own Correspondent) A meeting convened by the Motueka District Tobacco Growers’ Executive was held in Bowers’ Sample Room on Thursday afternoon. Mr S. G. Smith presided over a good gathering of growers. ' The chairman explained that the object of the meeting was to receive the report of the delegation that bad waited on the Minister of Customs (the Hon. J. G. Coates) and on the Tariff Commission in connection with the tobacco industry. In the course of his remarks Mr. Smith stated that the Minister of Customs appeared to have a thorough knowledge of local conditions, which was probably due to some extent to Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P., keeping the position continually before him. Mr _ Coates bad given the delegation a patient hearing, lie had expressed himself sympathetic towards their mission, and promised to investigate the position. In regard to their appearance before the Tariff Commission, Mr Smith explained that as the delegation had been sworn to secrecy he could not give the meeting any information. Messrs J. Balck, Af N. Wilkinson-and B. T. Rowling briefly supplemented the chairman’s report in connection with tho delegation to Wellington. .

FORMATION OF AN ASSOCIATION DISCUSSED. Tlie chairman stated that it had been the desire of a number of tobacco’growers for some, time past to form a Tobacco Growers’ Association, He had just received a copy of tho rules of the Australian Tobacco Growers’ _ . Association, and would throw tho meeting open for a free discussion on the advisability _ or otherwise of forming an association locally. The Australian rules could be used as a basis to draft other rules to assist the tobacco growing industry in all it's phases. It was pointed out that if the meeting thought of forming an association it would be necessary to appoint a sub-committee to draw up the rules and submit same to a; subsequent meeting for consideration. • *•-. _ Mr Best contended that an association was a good idea, and would-be the means. of binding growers more closely together. , . Mr Blake stated -that an association would bring about unity, which, was strength, and would cause members to work solidly together. Mr Wilkinson said he Mid agitated for some time for the formation of an association, and would like to see it done as soon as possible. Mr J. W. Fowler thought that if the manufacturing companies could be persuaded to extend contracts from one to three or five years, there would be no difficulty in forming an association. Mr Ralck suggested that a sub-com-mittee approach the tobacco companies and place before them the proposed prospectus of the association with a. view to their favouring the formation of an association. '

Mr A. E. Fry regarded an association as absolutley essential, and thought that it was also essential for the executive to have the confidence of the tobacco companies and more particularly the National Tobacco Company. He' considered that an association should be formed ; and was sure that it would not "be less acceptable to the companies than the, executive had been. Mr A. N. Wilkinson stated, that the general feeling among growers was for the formation of an association, but some of those with contracts would “at the moment hesitate to join up. • It was formally moved by Messrs 'A. E. Fry and J. Topp that a Tobacco Growers’ Association be formed.

An amendment by Mr Bennett, “that the secretary communicate with, the tobacco companies, asking for their views on the formation of an association,” was put and carried. •" Mr J. A. McGlashen considered that growers would be unwise to form an association without firstly consulting the companies. He had acted as '‘chairman” on a number of occasions at the meetings of one of the companies. .It had always been made clear that the company would have nothing to do with an association. 1 •

Mr Balck, in supporting the amendment, expressed the opinion that a referendum of growers should be taken on the question. One grower stated that the aims and objects of the association should be formulated before going to the companies for an opinion. Mr Wilkinson thought it unwise -.to hurry the matter. If the companies Sid not, favour an association, it was’ then time to call another meeting of growers to decide upon some course of action. Mr Balck considered that his suggestion at the last meeting for the registration of tobacco growers should be left in abeyance in the meantime.

It was decided that a special meeting be called as soon as the secretary received the replies from the tobacco companies. Speaking of levies Mr„ Williams thought that growers should' bo levied according to acreage. . .. “ Tile chairman stated that provision would he made in the eonstitution of the association, if formed, for levies' ttr.be collected on an acreage.or.other equitable basis. > ' - -