TOBACCO INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 14 October 1941, Page 4

TOBACCO INDUSTRY

POSSIBILITY OF EXPANSION 3000 \< Id S AVAILABI E IN NI.LSON nisi Kin Bl'T NOT UNO I '(ill FOR DOMINIONS REQUIREMENTS Up to 50(10 acres of tobacco .soil are needed to supply New Zealand': tobaeco requirements, estimates Sir Theodore Rigg, Director of the C'awthron Institute. Soil surveys have shown that there are 2000 acres of soil suitable for tobacco growing in the Nebcin district "Ai the present time oil mapping i going forward in the Moutere Valley.” said Sir Theodore in an interview this morning. "During the summer it i proposed to extend the survey to the Tukaka Valley with a view to ascertaining whether there is any considerable area ol soil which would be suit able for tobacco in the higher rainfall conditions of that district. At a Inter date soil mapping will be carried out in Stanley Brook. Tapawera and possibly ni tin* Tadmor Valley. "The soil and tobacco maps which have been made of the Kaiteritori (including Riwaka) and Motueka districts, as well as the Motueka and Dovedale Valleys, have been greatly appreciated by the Tobacco Control Board and fhe tobacco companies which have all been provided with sets of the maps. “The work which has been done has shown the possibility of expansion to approximately 2000 acres in the Ned son district, but this area is not sufficient for New Zealand's requirements.” said Sir Theodore. “In my opinion at least 3000-5000 acres of tobacco soil must be located in order to meet future demands for expansion of the tobacco industry in New Zealand.” Concerning the work of the Tobacco Research Station (of which Sir Theodore is acting-director). Sir Theodore stated that a comprehensive programme dealing with manorial problems, production of New Zealand seed and the control and incidence of mosaic had been arranged. Some 36 seedling bed: had been sown and a good strike of young seedlings had been obtained. MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY Field tests in regard to the control of magnesium deficiency are being arranged by the C'awthron Institute at Thorpe. Graham Valley and Umukuri In the chemical laboratory the examination of representative samples of tobacco is being continued with a view to determining the relationship between chemical composition and tobacco quality. Reports received from Mr R Thomson. director of the Tobacco Research Station, indicate that he is gaining valuable experience in Canada and the United States concerning different aspects of the fine cured tobacco industry of those countries, lie anticipates arriving back in New Zealand towards the end of the year.