Industry

-And A Tobacco

From D. L. Meek, in Madang A tobacco industry, which, it

is hoped, will materially affect

the economy of the Territory, has been started at Madang, New Guinea.

ON more than one occasion the establishment of a factory to manufacture black twist to bacco has been attempted in the Territory, with unfortunate results for the promoters.

However, undeterred by these previous attempts, and after almost two years of intensive study of the economics of the venture, the prob lems of the supply of suitable leaf, and probable demand for the finished article, Captain Jack Treacy, well-known on both sides of Papua-New Guinea, has proved that he can produce an article

table for and acceptable to the te of those concerned.

Tie local “brus” or tobacco leaf unsuitable for twist, although ;able for blending in fine-cut to co with imported leaf; conse ntly the company is depending supplies of imported leaf, until local product can be improved the importation of approved ieties of seed. ■he company has fostered the ribution to approved growers the very limited quantities of seed that are available, with object of building up a stock he improved seed.

More Local Leaf yentually, it is hoped that sup s of locally grown leaf will ob e the necessity of the importing eaf, with consequent savings in ars. ifficulties arise in the establish it of any new industry, and the tcco industry has proved no ex ion. However, the enthusiasm energy of Jack Treacy, now laging-director of the company, overcome these snags, and the ory is at present operating a ale shift to cope with the de id. tie of the first tasks was the ling of native staff to operate machines, and both Captain icy and his assistant, Mr. Brian is. had to display patience. But result is that the machines are operating at practically 100 per . efficiency, with native opera 3. here are two twist machines :ing, and three additional mach are on order from England. It iticlpated that arrangements for ible quantities of raw materials factory space will be finalised he time these machines are in ed, to enable the company to ure a further five machines, le company has chosen as trade k, an old inhabitant of New lea, the Muruk, more commonly vn elsewhere as the Cassowary.

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