PLIGHT OF TOBACCO GROWERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 4

PLIGHT OF TOBACCO GROWERS

STATE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT Recently representations were made by a number of tobacco growers to the Nelson District Tobacco Growers’ Association to the effect that some growers had been so badly affected financially through successive seasons of damage to crops through hail and frost, that after paying wages and cost of production, nothing was left to carry on with, and their position was really a desperate one. With no money and no means of obtaining credit it was not possible to remain on their farms and continue production. In many cases money had been borrowed for the erection of kilns and equipment which was not all paid off, and if the growers were forced to go out to work, these sums would remain to be paid out of wages earned. A sub-committee was set up by the association to investigate the matter, and the plight of some growers was considered so grave, that representations were made to the Minister of Employment through Mr K J Holyoake, M.P. The appended reply has now been received by Mr O. C. Wilkinson, secretary to the sub-committec. from the acting Minister of Employment, as an outcome of the efforts of Mr Holyoake on behalf of the growers concerned. Those requiring assistance should make application at once. “Mr K. J Holyoake, M.P., “Dear Sir, —I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter covering a communication from the Nelson District Tobacco Growers’ Association, asking that this Government assist certain growers whose position is desperate to remain on their properties, and continue production of tobacco. In reply I have to say it is realised that the present circumstances of some of the groweers require consideration, and consequently arrangements have been made for the Department of Labour to receive applications for assistance by way of subsidy under scheme 4A on own properties. “The application should be made to the District Employment Officer or the nearest certifying officer of the Department of Labour, and each case will be considered on its merits.—-I am., etc., P. C WEBB. Acting Minister of Dept, of Labour.”