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October 1944 W R Carpenter - How big firm is weather ing storms of war SIR Walter Carpenter, head of the big Pacific trading and shipping firm, is at pre sent paying a visit to Sydney, after three years’ residence in Canada. He is accom panied by Lady Carpenter.

Sir Walter, with the shrewdness and foresight which built the great group of companies he directs, saw what was likely to happen in the Pacific soon after the out break of war in Europe; and so he person ally extended his group’s operations to Canada, where copra-milling was entered upon in a big way.

As a result, when WRC & Co. lost heavily on the swings, through the Jap invasion of the Pacific, they began to gain

Paciflcilslamte

substantially on the roundabouts, established in Canada. Despite the invasion, W. R.

Carpenter & Co.

Ltd made the sub stantial net profit of 65,873 Pounds

in the year ended June 30 last; and this has been disposed of in a five per cent divi dend, and the transfer of 25,000 Pounds to a Contingency Fund.

The Co. has not yet resumed trading in New Guinea, the Solomons or the Gilberts, but its subsidiaries are doing well. The Fiji Co., paid 12 and a half per cent and South Pacific insurance seven per cent.

Directors are Sir Walter Carpenter (chairman), R. B. Carpenter (deputy chair

man), C. H. Carpenter, Sir Henry Braddon, D. J. Brownhill, and W. S. Bennett. Issued capital is 775,000 Pounds, and to this are added 200,000 of general reserve and well over 100,000 remaining in P & L. Account.

Shares are at a large premium on the con trolled share markets. ■

Established 1930