LONDON WOOL BALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20621, 21 July 1930, Page 5

LONDON WOOL BALES.

FULL LATE RATES PAID.

IMPROVED TONE MAINTAINED.

LONDON. July 18,

At Iho London v/jdol sales to-day 6356 bales wero offered, including 3345 from Nw Zealand, and aboat 3390 wero sold at full lato rates. The improved tono of the market was well maintained.

The Now Zealand crossbred clip Flag brought fop price lid, avcrago 10£ d; Moetere, lid and 10£ d; tho lmlfbred clip Glenfield, 12d and ll^d.

RATIONING OF WOOL.

SOUTH AFRICAN FARMERS.

UNANIMITY NOT SECURED.

(Received July 20, 5.15 p.m.) CAPETOWN. July 19.

Despile its failure to secure unanimity among farmers' associations with regard to the rationing of wool, as desired by Australian growers, the South African Association believes that the opening month of the season will witness a slight fall in prices followed by a steady rise till November when prices will be stabilised. It advises the farmers not to dispose of Merinos in order to invest in Persians as seems to be tho present tendency.

SALES IN AUSTRALIA. £24,000,000 LESS REALISED. (Received July 20. 5.43 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 20. Tlio total proceeds of the wool sales in Australia this season show a decrease of nearly £24,000,000 compared with iast year.

Tho past week's sales at Brisbane closed with a strong tone, a feature of the market being Continental demand.

TOBACCO GROWING.

MARLBOROUGH EXPERIENCE.

SEEKING A MARKET.

Mr. Ernest Bartlett, secretary of the Marlborough Tobacco Growers' Association, writes:—As I am being frequently appealed to for information regarding the tobacco industry, the results of our efforts in Blenheim and the future possibilities, I would be glad if you would publish my impressions for tho information of both intending growers and investors. Encouraged by glowing reports on the possibilities of tobacco culture, a number of fanners and others made their first and only attempt here in 1928. The leaf produced is said to be on the whole good manufacturing loaf, but when ready for sale we discovered that the local market was already oversijpplied from Nelson, where most, of the leaf being now manufactured in New Zealand is grown. . A deputation waited on the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. G. Forbes) and as spokesman I appealed for Government assistance in the direction of having samples of our leaf submitted to the leading manufacturers in England through the High Commissioner, with a view to ascertaining its commercial value. Although some assistance was promised in this direction, wo decided to await developments in other districts, Auckland in particular, while in the meantime attempt a little on our own account.

Samples of our leaf were submitted to the National Tobacco Company, of Napier, as soon as it; was cured, but as they wero carrying very heavy stocks they were unable to take our product. In the meantime our samples were being submitted to essential tests in their factory. Some six months later an urgent appeal was made to this company to relievo us of our unfortunate position, and as an act of mercy the whole of the superior leaf which was grown on similar land to that of their contractors in Nelson was purchased, tho growers receiving very satisfactory returns. We were advised not to grow any more leaf unlii the trade grew and had absorbed all the land held by their present contractors for extension.

Wo have taken this sound advice, and despite (be fact that we know we can grow first grade tobacco in Marlborough, the absence of a local market, plus the impossibility of export, leave the matter a highly speculative one and unsound. Wo are thoroughly convinced we started in Blenheim on tho wrong lines, and when reports of tho commercial value of our leaf reach us from England and the Continent (where samples have been sent) the Marlborough Tobacco Growers' Association will be able to shape its. future policy. v , Enormous sums of money have been sunk in Rhodesia, Kenya Colony and othor places on speculative tobacco gi-ow-ing. It is nonsense to say that poor laud is suitable for tobacco culture. The plant is a greedy, gross feeding soianum, needing plonty of nourishment in its short period of growth. Shelter is another essential, while efficient means for this provision in windy areas are too costly to entertain.

Tobacco, like wino, depends for its flavour entirely upon the physical character. of the soi! on which grown, the colour bring affected by colour of soil and climate This means research work over several years 10 determine the varieties suitable, to the conditions and the type of tobacco that can b« grown. For"instance, d'fterent districts in America are devoted to particular types of loaf to such an extent (! ut only certain varieties are grown that have proved suitable to that type. North Carolina is noted for its bright Aromatic and cigaretto tobacco, Kentucky for sweet chowing and pipeleaf, Connecticut for cigar wrapper, .;nd so on. To attempt to exchange would mean to court failure.

This means that it is ncccssurv for us to experiment until wo can produce the type o? tobacco that manufacturers desire, and before growing extensively to be sure of our market. Second grade leaf is a drug on tho market, and is produced so cheaply in other countries that wo in New Zealand with our high-priced land and high wages can never hope to competo profitably. Local manufacture i 3 also highly speculative. You cannot deceive the smoker, his palate must bo satisfied. Iu this a good deal of research work has been going on in New Zealand for some years by highly technical officers drawn from the best of sources. In Nelson a process of elimination has been going on for somo years, and much of the land that was previously employed for tobacco cultuie has now boon condemned as unsuitable. This 1 cab only assume is the result of the blender's research work.

AUSTRALIAN ORANGES. CANADIAN MARKET ENTERED. VANCOUVER. July 18. Australia has entered vigorously into the fight for the orange market in Canada, with tho arrival of 800 cases by the Aorangi. Up to now a monopoly lias been enjoyed by California. Now Austrajia -Japan and Brazil arc <jll endeavour ; ng to secure the market. Wholesale merchants state that the Australian shipment is in prima condition and the price attractive. They predict a good market.