TOBACCO SHIPMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22434, 2 June 1936, Page 5

TOBACCO SHIPMENT

NEW ZEALAND'S BID

ARRIVAL IN LONDON GOOD IMPRESSION CREATED [from OUR OWN" correspondent] LONDON, May 13 An invasion of the tobacco market in Great Britain is being made by the Empire almost as a whole, and the percentage of Empire tobacco imported into Britain has risen from 1 per cent' in 1919 to 23 per cent to-day. The latest Empire country to enter the Knglish market is New Zealand, which late, last year sent a. consignment of about 65,0001b selected, prepared and packed under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. This consignment is reported to have "surprised the trade by its excellent quality." The Tobacco World, commenting upon it, said: "It was all of good colour and quality. Its leaf compares well with the best sont from other of the Empire producing countries, and its smoking qualities, as we tested for ourselves, are excellent, smooth and cool, and with no unpleasant tang. There is little doubt that if the quality is maintained and the price is competitive there should be a good future for such leaf." Taste and price will undoubtedly be the criterion Tor New Zealand's latest export, but she will be faced with tremendous competition to gain a foothold in the English market, the ramifications of which are extremely complicated. It is at present the subject of an inquiry by the Imperial Economic Committee, which is engaged in liear-

ing evidence before preparing a report. At present the report is held up to allow additional information to be included, but it is anticipated that it will go before the main committee in June or July and be published shortly afterwards. Before its contents are announced to the public copies will be sent to all Empire Governments. New Zealand will thus be afforded ample opportunity of judging whether the English tobacco market is a favourable proposition or not. The most optimistic thing that can be said about New Zealand's chances of tapping another source of income is that she will have to be content with a long wait before establishing herself in the tobacco market, taking for granted that the price of her product will suit the manufacturer and the taste will appeal to the public. As almost 80 per cent of 1 pipe tobacco, it is estimated, is of Empire origin :tnv further improvement in that direction is unlikely. It follows, therefore, that the further expansion of Empire leaf depends upon the use of cigarette type, and that Now Zealand's chief hope lies in catering lor this branch. It is thought that New Zealand's best chance of'securing a footing might come from the blending of her tobacco, in the same way as the Indian leaf is heavily blended in the manufacture of cigarettes. The Times, in a review of Empire tobacco, says of New Zealand's product: "There is little doubt that if sufficient quantities can be grown, the right prices charged and quality maintained this excellent leaf will form a serious rival in this country u> other Empire cigarette tobaccos."

TESTING OF HERDS

GOOD APRIL YIELD

IMPROVEMENT IN FIGURES

[from our own correspondent]

HAMILTON, Monday

There was a slight increase in the average production of cows tested by the New Zealand Co-operative HerdTesting Association for April, 1936. compared with the returns for the corresponding period in 1935 and 1934. The association tested 82,611 cows in April, 1936, the average yield being 4101 h. milk and 23.381b. fat. In April, 1935, 88,137 cows were tested, 1 lie average production being 4281b. milk and 22.441b. fat. There was a smaller yield in April. 1934, when HQ,523 cows were tested. The average production that month was 3651b. milk and 19.821b. fat.