TOBACCO IMPORTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19900, 30 March 1939, Page 16

TOBACCO IMPORTS

SHORTAGE IN PROSPECT . NO IMMEDIATE TROUBLE U.S.A. AND AFRICAN BAN Though it is inevitable that stocks of imported tobaccos, and particularly of those imported usually from America and South Africa, will begin to run low within a few weeks, Gisborne retailers have not yet been faced with a shortage of supplies. For those who like American or South African blerfds, the early future holds the prospect of a change. Retailers who have used tobaccos from the. United States and from the Union of South Africa to produce the mixtures which they have made popular with their respective clients, also will have to face one of the principal effects of the import restrictions on their trade. The average smoker, who takes one brand for preference but will not complain if another brand almost identical is offered, will go through the next few months without strain upon his nerves. The blow will fall hardest upon those who, by reason of particular individual taste, have long since deserted the range of standard blends. One wellknown Gisborne tabacconist has sufficient stocks to keep his regular customers going with nonstandard brands for at least a year. Sooner or later, however, even his customers will have to elect whether they will smoke what the average man smokes, or give up the weed. New Zealand Manufactures It is understood that New Zealand manufacturers who formerly imported stocks of overseas tobaccos for blending with the home-grown article will receive facilities from the Government. Favourite brands of New Zealand-manufactured smokes will therefore still be available to the public. There is some question as to whether the Dominion production of cigarette papers will be sufficient to tide over the transition period. Papers for smokers who roll their own must all be produced in New Zealand, from now forward. There may be a tempory shortage before the local industry gets fully into its stride.