TOBACCO PROFITS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2125, 8 May 1920, Page 4

TOBACCO PROFITS.

BRITISH-AMBRICAN DIVIDENDS

An instance of (he enormous profits made by tobacco companies in America and England is referred to in a recent letter to the Te Aroha Nows, which is as follows: — In reference to the substantial rise in the price of tobacco which has been imposed noon the New Zealand public during the lasi few weeks, il hits occurred to me that the enclosed excerpt from Iho London Daily .Mail, on January 4th, 1920, might he of interest, aspeeially tit reference to those men who wen! into the trenches and risked their liv-

es to protect concerns such as arc referred to in the newspaper parti-' graph given below; — Tobacco Millions. Big Profits and 30 per cent. Dividends. —For the p.ast year the British-American Tobacco Co. earned net profits amounting to £3 ,7(6,50 1 (after allowing for income tax and excess profits duty), against £3,140,174 for the preceding year. Dividends amounting to 30 per cent, for the year are again being paid, and this still knives an undivided accumulated profit of £4,400,311.. The company’s £1 shaves are now quoted at £7 13s 9d.

An .amusing story of Parliament was told by Mr S. G. Smith, M.P., at the South African veterans’ reunion in New Plymouth. A man who was in from the depths of the bnckblocks was taken by a Parliamentary friend to see the Houses of Parliament. As a great treat permission was obtained for him to lake a seat on the floor of the House. M heii the House rose the member asked the man from the country what he thought of Parliament. “They’re a queer looking lot,” he replied. “There’s only one intelligent-looking man amongst them.” He pointed out the man he 'meant. It wasn’t a. member of Parliament; it was the sergeant-at-arms ! —’Taranaki Herald.