H—44

As regards the current season (1949-50) late frosts have, recently occurred, and very considerable damage has been reported. A survey of the damage is now being made, but the full extent of the losses incurred will not be known for some time. The amount of compensation paid to growers for the 1948-49 season was much higher than on any previous occasion. Particulars of claims submitted by growers and payments made over the past five seasons are as follows :

Table 24—Compensation for Damaged Tobacco

Rates of compensation were increased for the 1948—4:9 season and subsequent seasons. . „ To assist in placing the crop insurance fund on a sound basis the Board with the concurrence of the New Zealand Tobacco-growers' Federation decided that the levy on sales of leaf should be increased from to per pound for the seasons 1949—50, J950-51 and 1951-52, and that the additional £d. per pound should be set aside for the insurance fund. (g) Flood Protection As mentioned in the previous year's report, the question of protecting tobacco lands threatened by flooding of the Motueka River has received the serious consideration of the Board working in collaboration with the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, the Treasury, and other interested organizations. The proposals were accepted by the ■Government, and work on the scheme has now bfen commenced. The estimated cost of the scheme is £lOO,OOO, of which amount the Board will pay •as its portion the sum of £20,000 together with interest thereon, the payments being spread over twenty-five years. The Tobacco-growing Industry Regulations 1945, Amendment No. 3, gazetted in March, 1949, give the Board the necessary authority to make contributions towards the ■cost of flood-protection or other works intended to benefit land situated in tobaccogrowing districts. The scheme of flood-protection is regarded as of both national and local importance, and it is pleasing to report that the Board's efforts in recent years in connection with this matter have proved successful. (h) Members or the Tobacco Board The Tobacco Board members at the 31st March, 1950 were : Chairman and Government Representative : Mr. L. J. Schmitt. Representatives of Manufacturers : Messrs. F. A. L. Hunt, T. P. Husheer, J. G. Lisman, and T. F. Yarley. Representatives of Growers : Messrs. F. A. Hamilton, K. J. Newman, R. W. S. Stevens, and M. H. Thorn. Mr. B. J. Fawcett, Director-General of Agriculture represents that Department in an advisory capacity at meetings of the Board. Secretary : Mr. H. L. Wise. Assistant Secretary : Mr. W. A. Clarke.

37

Harvest Year. Claims Lodged. Allowed. Poundage Compensated. Amount Paid. Frost. Hail. Flood. £ s. d. lb. lb. lb. 1945 53 41 62,178 1,251 6 5 18,194 11,153 32,831 1946 19 14 16,249 340 2 7 15,943 300 1947 1 1 300 5 0 0 300 2^000 1948 33 29 50,494 1,098 6 4 48,494 1949 149 106 410,624 12,788 5 7 108,879 301,745