TOBACCO SUPPLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1940, Page 6

TOBACCO SUPPLIES

EXPANSION OF LOCAL PRODUCTION BOARD AND GROWERS CONFER. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. The Minister of Industries (Mi - Sullivan) made a statement today following upon a meeting of the Tobacco Board with the executive oi the New Zealand Tobacco Growers’ Federation.

One of the principal matters dealt with was the possibilities of expanding the production of leaf by reason of the war. There is a possibility of supplies of American leaf being cut off or restricted, and>in addition there is a desirability of conserving exchange for war purposes as much as possible. ‘Tn these circumstances," said. the Minister, "it was essential that every effort should be made to increase local production as much as possible.” Arrangements are being made through the tobacco growing districts with a view to urging them to grow as much leaf as possible. Other matters discussed between the board and the federation executive were wages and prices, the possibility of establishing an insurance hind to provide for loss of crops, and the possibility of advances being made to growers for The expansion of tobacco culture. The board also dealt with the Board of Trade (Raw Tobacco Price) Regulations which fixed a minimum price below which leaf cannot be: sold, and the board recommended io the Government that those be extended to March .31. 1941. i