PROMINENT IN BUSINESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 161, 28 September 1927, Page 2

PROMINENT IN BUSINESS

MI?. ROBERT A. LAIDLAW , genjXA. cra i manager of the Farmers’ Trading Coy., Ltd., is an outstatiding figure In Nero Zealand business circles. Born in Scotland , Mr. Laidlaw landed in Dunedin with his parents as a boy of eleven. He graduated from the Otago Boys’ High School into the business of Laidlaw and Gray, where his enthusiasm and keen salesmanship soon saw him on the road and a well-known figure among Otago and Southland country storekeepers. About 2007 he moved to Auckland where he joined the outside staff of Win gate and Coy.

In 2909 he opened up a mailorder business in Commerce Street under the name of Laidlaw Leeds and within a short time the firm's catalogue was a familiar sight in practically every country household between the North Cape and the Manawatu. In 1911 the firm shifted to bigger premises in Fort Street, but even these proved too small, and 191 U saw it established in portion of the present premises. In 1918 the business of the Farmers’ Trading Coy. was absorbed and the Farmers* Trading Coy., Ltd., as it is now known, came into being. Mr. Laidlaw was made general manager. The firm then branched out into the counter trade and extended its activities to all parts of the province. 'Within a short space of time approximately 50 branches were established. To-day the firm has about 7 00 names on its payroll. Apart from directing the largest business of its kind in New 'Zealand, if not in Australasia, Mr. Laidlaw finds time to edit the staff magazine, takes a keen interest in prohibition and church affairs, Rotary and Advertising Clubs, besides numerous other activities.