TOBACCO CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 15

TOBACCO CULTURE.

DEPRESSION IN RHODESIA. RESULT OF OVER-PRODUCTION. t rSTOCKS UNSALEABLE IN ENGLAND As tlio result of over-production, £17,000,000 worth of the Rhodesian tobacco crop, which found its way to the London market, cannot bo sold; consequently, largo numbers of growers lost money during tlio. past season. Mr. 11. 11 Cumming, of Gwelo, Rhodesia, wlio is at present visiting Auckland, in tlio course of a health and business tour of the world, thinks that New Zealand could do something to alleviate the position. Tlio visitor lias tobacco interests in Rhodesia.

Mr. Cumming's suggestion is that New Zealand should buy tobacco from Rhodesia, instead of largo quantities from America as at present, to mix with New Zealand leaf. Tho tobacco grown in Rhodesia was recognised to bo as good as Cuban leaf, which was tho very best. Tobacco growers in Rhodesia were now in a serious position, and were looking for other avenues in which to make a living The tobacco industry of Rhodesia had gone through several stages, Mr. Cum ming stated. Somo years ago, when tobacco culturo was commenced, great difficulty was experienced in finding a steady market for the leaf. That was overcome to some extent, with tho improvement of tho quality, and when Mr. L. S. Amery, Secretavy of State for tho Dominions, visited Rhodesia last year, tho annual output was valued at £5,000,000. "After touring Rhodesia, Mr. Amery was so favourably impressed with tho possibilites of the tobacco industry, that ho told the growers to increase their supplies, and, further, that Britain would take all they could grow," Mr. Cumming stated "Heartened by this advice, the growers increased tho size of their crops, witli tho result that last season's crop jumped from £5,000,000 to £25,000,000 in value. Wo found that the greater proportion of tho crop could not bo sold, chiefly owing to the influence of, vested interests. Our Minister of Agriculture went to London to investigate tho position, but without much result. A Rhodesian cigar etto was introduced to the market and this helped things a little, but more than half tho growers have lost money." There seemed little remedy until tho glowers could find a market, he said. In the meantime, production was being cut down very considerably. While in New Zealand Mr. Cumming will investigate the dairy industry, hoping to take back with him valuable suggestions. "There are miles and miles of land in Rhodesia not under cultivation," Mr. Cumming said. "If this were utilised, Rhodesia could supply tho world with the very best tobacco, but tho time does not yet seem ripe for such extension."