To the Editor of the "Norra-Curna Datty News.'
Sin,—With reference to the intended sale of the above concern, I should like to know which of the two versions is correct. In an article of June 30, under "Notes Comments," you say "The position to-day is that by selling to the highest bidder, the Flower Shop would probably be able to hand to the war charities a somewhat larger sum than might be the case were the sale limited to British bids only. But while it is desirable that these charities benefit to as large an extent as possible, this is an occasion on which we ought to consult our own feelings as well. Were it to cease to be the British Flower Shop, there would be a break with the traditions of the war years, asd remembering all that the shop has achieved, that would be most unfortunate. The shop must inevitably, in the case of a sale, lose the glamour of its initial purpose, but this notwithstanding, there would be much to endear it to the community."
At the annual general meeting, the Chairman, in answer to a shareholder asking whether the saic would be advertised, replied that he had not thought of that, but their intention was to ask for a few offers, and that a matter of 2,000 or 3.000 dollars would not influence them to accept any offer. They would have to be satisfied that the purchaser was British, British capital only employed and that the concern would remain in British hands for some years.
Your article implies that the sale being confined to British bids only, would of a necessity result in a lesser sum being available, for distribution to charities. than otherwise would be the case-if the bidding were open to Allied subjects as well, whereas the reply of the Chairman is that a lesser sum might result from their having to reject the higher British bid. A totally different meaning. Which is the correct one?
I an, eta,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.