TOBACCO CULTURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8362, 24 February 1913, Page 8

TOBACCO CULTURE

GREAT POSSIBILITIES IN NEW ZEALAND. The marvellous profits of the Sumatra tobacco syndicates have directed the attention of other countries to the possibilities of growing tobacco under similar conditions. California, Florida, Colorado, and Oregon are experimenting extensively and intelligently, while Mexico, Central America, the Transvaal, and Cape Colony are giving more attention to the same industry. The famous Havana tobacco of Cuba will probably be produced on a much larger scale and of oven finer quality when a stable Government has been established, that will encourage enterprise and thrift. At present the methods in the island are still crude in tjtte extreme, owing to the indolence of the growers. On the island of Sumatra, however, tobacco culture has been reduced to a science, being controlled mainly by .a few Dutch syndicates. The largest of them is the famous Deli Company, which now produces 60,000 bales of 200ib each yearly, almost one-fourth of the entire Sumatran crop. The average dividends paid to its shareholders have been over 73 per cent, annually since 1880. and in 1893 it paid a dividend of 100 per cent. Starting with a capital of .£30,000 in 1869, in 1904 its capital was £400,000, with a reserve fund of Xsoo.ooo—besides paying the enormous dividends alluded to. In the course of the first twenty-four crop years, the company delivered to. the Amsterdam market a total of 494,491 bales, representing a value of over £10.600,000, upon which a clear profit was made and paid to shareholders of nearly -£3,000,000. This is merely one instance of the rapid strides tobacco culture has been making, and of the huge profits which can be obtained by the application of intelligence and energy. In the fact of these facts is New Zealand to remain indifferent while other countries are untiring in their efforts to extend and develop this most profitable of all industries? It is the greatest of all revenue producers. There is hardly a country in the world, when the soil and climatic conditions permit of the successful growing of tobacco, which has not established this industry long ago. Prom its birthplace, America, tobacco culture has extended to every quarter of the globe, and, like its next kin, the Irish potato, it has made the conquest of the earth. New Zealand alone has not responded to the call, and yet what a future is in store for her if she would only make a start even at such a late hour. The latitude of the North Island corresponds with that of Virginia and Carolina, and of Greece and Turkey (famous for their excellent tobaccos), and experiments recently carried out by an expert prove conclusively that she possesses all the natural conditions necessary for growing those types of an equal quality. Large areas are available in the North Island / for that purpose, and even those parts Consisting of very light soil could all be transformed from regions of comparative poverty to regions of wealth, through the successful culture of tobacco. But the industry must be started in a systematic manner. Our farmer cannot afford to experiment, and we must not expect him to embark upon a new industry without a certain, guarantee that he will get paid for his labour and trouble in the end. If a farmer raises an oat crop, or a potato crop he knows that he will realise the current market price for his produce. But what is he to do with a tobacco crop, for which no local market has been established yet? All would bo uncertainty. It is evident that some encouragement must be given to the grower, he must be able to get advice and assistance in all matters concerning this industry, and there most bo somebody in authority to to take the lead. A proper organisation is required, without which no success may be hoped for. And such organisation can only be initiated by the Government. Other industries like Horticulture and viticulture have at all times had the support of the Government. Why should tobacco culture, which nay become of greater importance to the country than either of the others, not share in that support? Very little would be required, a mere trifle compared to what has been spent on orchards and vineyards, and besides it would mean a temporary assistance only, as a tobacco farm could be made self-supporting in two years’ time. , , . . If the resources of this country are to bo further developed, the tobacco industry cannot be treated with contempt; it has been of immense importance to other countries and it may, .-ome day, become of greater importance to us.