RECORD TOBACCO CROP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 43, 20 February 1941, Page 7

RECORD TOBACCO CROP

HARVEST OF 3,000,000L8. EXPECTED NEARLY 3000 ACRES PLANTED Expectations of a record crop of tobacco leaf, with promise of the best quality yet produced, are held by the Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). A yield of approximately 3,000,0001 b. of leaf is expected from the 2500 to 3000 acres planted by between 300 and 400 tobacco growers. In an address to the Avon Labour Party supporters last night, Mr. Sullivan said there had been a great development in the tobacco industry since the Labour Government put the plan for that industry into operation. In 1934-35 growers were most dissatisfied and prices as low as 5d per lb. were being paid for cured leaf. The value of this year’s crop to the growers would amount to about £280,000. The growing and curing of tobacco leaf was a very skilled occupation, am: those employed were being greatly assisted by the Tobacco research Coun cil set up by the Government and responsible for the Tobacco Research Station promoted aiP developed unde:' the direction of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Motueka. “The Government is receiving the most helpful assistance and advice from the Tobacco Board and of the growers’ own organisation, the Tobacco Growers’ Federation,” the Minister said. “You can realise what the industry must mean socially and economically to the district.”