Buy New Zealand Goods.
(Continued from page 13)

page 49

Happy lunch hour at Wills’ factory.

There is another angle of the New Zealand tobacco industry which must not be overlooked. New Zealand is growing tobacco. Adam Smith observed long years ago in the “Wealth of Nations” that tobacco was always regarded by Governments as “a subject for collecting taxes,” and he pointed out that “the cultivation of tobacco has been upon this account most absurdly prohibited through the greater part of Europe.”

The scene has changed. Tobacco is now grown in many parts of the world. In our own country, for example, the production of New Zealand grown tobacco leaf last season amounted to approximately two million pounds.

There is, of course, no reason why the country which grows the world's best sheep and pedigree rye grass should not compete in tobacco. There are many tobacco farms in New Zealand growing bountiful crops of high quality, most of them in the sunny Nelson province.

Under the tutelage of experts, skill in flue curing, the modern method, has been acquired, and the utmost care is taken over this process, as it is the foundation of good quality. In the Flue Barn, the green leaves change to a pale lemony-gold, and from them eventually we get our Silver Fern cigarette tobacco, Twelves cigarettes, and those smooth smoking mixtures, Tasman Toasted Flake, and Four Star Pipe Tobacco. If you are a lover of any of these, well, you appreciate a blending of New Zealand tobacco in your smoke.

We also visited Napier, and saw the National Tobacco Company's fine institution. As I have said before, industries which grow up in our provincial centres have a special place in my regard.

It is therefore fitting and proper that the lovely capital of Hawke's Bay should have as its leading industry, the great concern that makes Riverhead Gold, No. 3, Desert Gold, Cavendish, and other famous and well-liked brands.

The company has its own toasting process and makes an article of world parity.

Here again is ample evidence that the people who are engaged in the making of tobacco derive happiness from their daily job.

We show a picture of the girls having refreshments in the National Tobacco Company's lunch room, and

National Tobacco Company's staff, Napier, at refreshments.

it might well be titled “Miles of Smiles.” There are other rest rooms, and luncheon rooms for the men, bicycle sheds, and every conceivable comfort.

Port Ahuriri has a utilitarian appearance like most work-a-day seaports, and the National Tobacco Company's premises strike an unexpected note of aesthetic value. The elevation is handsome and the entrance ornate but tasteful.

The hall is most impressive. It is domelit, and has exceedingly beautiful doors and walls.

The growth of the company's business is evidenced by the erection of fine new bond stores. Here again we must take into account the allied industries who benefit from the existence of the National Tobacco Company. Tins, round and square, containers of every description, cases, packets and all the rest of the necessary accessories, are all made in New Zealand by New Zealanders.

It is pleasant to know that from the mildest smoke, to the heavy and sustaining, all smokers’ needs can be met by the product of our own folks in New Zealand factories.

But to me, the main significance of these well established organisations was their air of competent, but amiable fellowship; a universal feeling that a working day could be pleasantly got through in the making of a good article under good conditions.

Once more, it was driven home to me that in modernity of plant, and in the scientific care and up-to-dateness of manufacturing method, New Zealand is on the march, abreast with the world. This applies with full force to New Zealand made smokes.