The Financial Times reported on Tuesday March 16th, "Exceptionally big rises eein the shares of the twelve Malayan rubber plantation companies of the "Guthrie Group" on the news..that they are to be merged in a new holding company, the Guthrie Corporation. Gains in £1 issues ranged up to 13s 44d in Malacca Ordinary...and in 2 shillings issues up to 2s 3d... in Linggi...Yesterday's prices value the equity of the proposed Guthrie Corporation at about £20 million. This figure excludes the sum of about £2 million which is to be repaid to members of the companies in the scheme, The day's gains added £4-5 million to market valuese.e."
This item would indicate that British big business enthusiasm about the creation and defence of Malaysia is not without cause.