ALL PROFIT FOR WAR WORK

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 6

ALL PROFIT FOR WAR WORK

AUCKLAND COMPANY’S

OFFER

“NOT ALL EMPLOYERS SEEKING BENEFIT” (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 14. It is disclosed that B. J. Ball (New Zealand) Limited, of Auckland, one of the largest firms of paper merchants operating in the Dominion has. offered the Government the whole of its profits throughout the war and for 12 months thereafter. Payment will be made in instalments of £5OO a month, the balance of profits being paid at the end of each yearly period. The only condition is that after deducting the income tax for which the firm is liable from time to time the Government will apply the balance for war purposes only. The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) has intimated that the Government will accept the generous offer. The offer was made by Mr S. J. Robinson, who explained to Mr Nash that as he was the owner of the business there were no interests of shareholders to consider. He felt he could not stand by and see the members of one section of the community offer their lives without doing what was in his power to help with the prosecution of the war. Money was needed just as were men to secure victory.

“Several reasons dictated my decision,” said Mr Robinson. “One of these was that I thought it would assist the Government, not only financially but also to appreciate the spirit of the people of this country. It should help the realization that the people are prepared to make sacrifices. I also think it will serve to show that section of the community that talks about war profits that not all employers are seeking to benefit. In our case, of course, we are giving all our profits.”