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Reverting to the letter of the High Commissioner to the Prime Minister with respect to tobacco-culture, we. find the following additional resolutions were passed :— (b) It was resolved that the suggested conference should not be held in London, and that Governments interested should consider the advisability of (1) being represented by their experts in South Africa, where certain research stations are operating ; or (2) the appointment of an independent expert to visit the various tobacco-growing countries and advise on the numerous points relating to culture, &c. (c) The meeting expressed the view that the methods at present adopted by the Empire Marketing Board were adequate, it being pointed out that the recommendation of the Imperial Economic Committee was made some two years ago, and before the Empire Marketing Board commenced to function as it was doing at present. (d) It was explained that the Empire Marketing Board was already in touch with manufacturers in this connection, and 'was at present actively engaged in an endeavour to induce manufacturers in this country to utilize a certain minimum percentage of Empire tobaccos. (e) The meeting agreed to set up the suggested Committee, trade representatives of various Governments to act. The first meeting of the advisory Committee is to be held on the 2nd May to consider the form in which statistics should be submitted, and I will advise you immediately this is decided. The resolutions above quoted demonstrate most clearly that in London there is a desire to absorb, if possible, Empire tobacco-leaf. The necessity for such a policy is well set forth in a memorandum to the Empire Marketing Board by the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia : — " A matter for serious concern to Southern Rhodesia, as, indeed, it must be to all tobacco-growing countries of the British Empire, is the fact that the imports of tobacco from America to the United Kingdom during the last five years have increased by over 25 per cent., and in one year alone— namely, 1928-29 —such imports increased nearly 20 per cent., whereas during, the same year imports from all other countries, including the dominions and colonies of the British Empire, decreased, by nearly 30 per cent. 205,279,535 lb. of American tobacco were imported into the United Kingdom during 1929—a record." While discussing the matter of export it is perhaps in place to refer to a comment on the above proposition by the High Commissioner for New Zealand in March last: — " It is observed that some two and a half million pounds of tobacco of all grades is imported annually into the Dominion, and it would consequently be of interest to learn whether it is the intention of local interests to make an endeavour to secure the bulk of this trade, or is it the intention of those interested to carry on as at present and to concentrate on export ? Obviously, there is a good local market, and, whilst it is admitted that certain grades will have to be imported for blending, it woidd appear that the time is opportune to take the fullest possible advantage of any sums which may be available for research purposes." Considered opinions tendered to your Committee indicate that New Zealand leaf of first quality ranks second only to the best Virginian. Such expert opinions thus place our leaf on a high Empire standard. It is interesting to note that inquiries have recently been made from the Commonwealth regarding supplies of our domestic leaf, but it must be stated that up till now such negotiations have not assumed a commercial scale. Experimental Work in New Zealand. The evidence before your Committee establishes the fact that little worth - while experimental work has been carried on in the Dominion. Such experimental work was carried out in his earlier manufacturing days by Mr. Husheer, and it seems likely to suppose that experimental work would have saved much capital at present invested in certain tobacco-growing propositions. Even the work carried out by Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills (N.Z.), Ltd., does not at all compare with the work that has since 1926 been carried out in the Commonwealth of Australia, in which the British Australasian Tobacco Pty. Co., Ltd., has been so interested. Tariff Protection. The local industry was to an extent protected under the Customs tariff of 1927, which was as follows :—•

Ti„ ltl I i British Preferential ««««„. 1 m „•« " em Tariff Items. j Tariff. Genera 1 Tariff. No. ! j CoJumn No. 1. Ooiumn No. 2. • Class II.-—Tobacco. 74 Cigarettes n.e.i. .. .. .. .. ... .. 25s. 6d. per 1,000 25s. 6d. per 1,000. 75 Cigarettes, exceeding in weight 2J lb. per 1,000 .. .. 10s. 6d. per lb. 10s. 6d. per lb. 76 Cigars, including the weight of every band, wrapper, or attach- 12s. per lb. 12s. per lb. ment to any cigar 77 Snuff .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12s. per lb. 12s. per lb. 78 Tobacco, tine cut, suitable for the manufacture of cigarettes .. 10s. per lb. 10s. per !b, 79 Tobacco, cut, n.e.i. .. .. .. .. .. 4s. 2d. per lb. 4s. 2d. per lb. 80 Tobacco n.e.i., including the weight of every label, tag, or other 4s. per lb. 4s. per lb. attachment 81 Tobacco, unmanufactured, entered to be manufactured in New 2s. per lb. 2s. per lb. Zealand in any licensed tobacco-factory, for manufacturing purposes only, into tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, or snuff 82 Tobacco for sheep-wash, or for insecticide, after being rendered Free Free. unfit for human consumption to the satisfaction of the Minister