N.Z. TOBACCO

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1930, Page 3

N.Z. TOBACCO

REPORT ON INDUSTRY. 15v 1 olograph—Press Aseoca&tion). WELLINGTON, October 22. The report of the tobacco industry, investigation committee presented to the House states that after weighing up thp evidence, it lnt,s come to tile conclusion that New Zealand leaf has been grown of a standard equal to aiiy grade other than best Virginian; and that such results had been obtained without the usual experiments extended over a period which had been carried out in all other countries. The Committee makes the following recommendations: That for the purpose of safeguarding the revenue c.C the Dominion, the import duty on unmanufactured tobacco lealf be at the rate of 3s a II)., or 2(10 per cent, ad valorem, which ever is greater. That the import duty on cut tobacco -be .fixed at the rate of as 6d per lb., in lieu of the present existing duty of Is 2d. That there he in future no drawback payment on imported tobacco leaf once such lea'f has been drawn foi factory manufacture, but that drawback shall remain payable on leaf damaged in transit or otherwise before it is drawn from bond, and thereby abolishing the existing refund claimable on stalks;: refuse, clippings or waste from the imported leaf. That tobacco culture should be removed from the control of the Diiectors of the Division of Horticulture of the Department of Agriculture and placed under the supervision of a tobacco expert to be appointed by the Government, and to be known as the Director of Tobacco Culture.

That to assist the director, an advisory .council be formed consisting of four representatives of the tobaccogrowing districts. That full advantage be taken by the advisory council of the offer recently made by the Empire Marketing Board, and that research experiments he undertaken without delay in respect of quality, aroma, combustibility, and other, characteristics of New Zealand tobacco leaf. That the present Government export standards be withdrawn and new standards set up, more in conformity with world standards. That export standards should be taken as minimum standards for leaf export, and authority should be given to the Director of Tobacco Culture investing him with power to prohibit the export of tobacco of any inferior grade or grades. That in view of all the evidence, the Committee feels that it must express a word of caution for the guidance of such G'f' the general public as may be desirious of investing in any one of the many tobacco growing companies that have been registered recently in the Dominion, and particularly to those investors in Australia, where at present, bond series are being offered for public subscription. That the Government be urged to come to an early decision in respect of the recommendations to enable tobacco growing and manufacturing industries to be placed on a stable basis especially in view of the fact that certain of the recommendations relate to tariff matters.