RISE TO RICHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 16

RISE TO RICHES

DEATH OF MR. E. B. MYER GREAT BUSINESS CAREER [from our own co ait espono ent] MELBOURNE, Feb. 21 One of tile mo.st remarkable business careers in Australia Was ended by the death two (lays ago of Mr. JO. B. Alyer, aged 62 years, chairman of directors of the Myer Emporium, Limited. A ttussian Jew, Mr. -dyer came to Australia in 18 I J4. At his death he was probably one of the richest men in the Country. To some extent the career of Mr. E. B. Myer wits overshadowed by that of his brother, Mr. Sidney Myer. The latter died in IM4, and Mr. E. U. Myer succeeded him as head of the firm. But in itself tho career of Mr. Myer was a romance of commerce. Mr. M.ver was the first of the family to come to Australia. He joined a firm in Bendigo, but in 1902 he and hia brother Sidney decided to launch out in a business of their own. They conducted their business in a small shop and lived together at the back of the premises. lOach took it in turn to travel into tho northern parts of Victoria, while the other looked ilftor the shop. Later they broke up the partnership and Mr. Sidney Myer bought his brother's interest for £U2O. Mr. E. B. Myer then became interested in a manufacturing business in Melbourne, but the brothers rejoined partnership in Bendigo in 1908, by which time a large and thriving business had betSn established. In 1011 Mi". Sidney Myer bought a business ill Bdurke Street, Melbourne — the foundation of the present great establishment. Mr. E. M. Myer remained to Conduct the Beridigo business, but alter serving ill the Great War returned to Melbourne and became merchandising manager. Since 19.'34 he had been chairman of directors.