The structure being promoted by the board of SunRice would allow outside investors to take ownership of the rice industry via the Managed Investment Fund.

The fund would own all the assets of SunRice. To list on the ASX to get more capital to borrow against could increase the debt to equity ratio of SunRice.

The high debt to equity ratio was part of the reason our directors recommended we sell to Ebro. The present debt to equity at about 43 per cent is still high, but is manageable by industry standards.

If rice growers don’t want to sell the assets of the rice industry then they should contact the company secretary (1800 645 557) at SunRice or the directors and say so.

Our chairman at 14 meetings said if there were significant growers against the listing then the board would put the project on the shelf rather than risk losing another vote, as in Ebro.

Jim Wilson

Saratoga

I WRITE in support of John Bradford’s nomination to become a director on the Rice Marketing Board.

Proven a great company, SunRice has been a huge benefit to growers and local economies.  John’s outstanding record of achievement and service to irrigators would be a valuable addition to the Rice Marketing Board.

Determination and persistence won the day when John led the debate and vote that saved the ownership of the company from being sold to commercial interests.  

Recent financial figures have confirmed the retention of the company to be in the best interest of the growers.

A major ricegrower himself, appreciating the vital importance of the water Industry, John has again taken the lead by becoming chairman of southern Riverina irrigators where he has shown outstanding ability to lobby, debate and represent irrigators at the highest level.

As a former Murray Irrigation chairman for 10 years myself, and board member for 16 years, I understand the enormous amount of work required to keep in constant touch with federal and

state politicians and advisors in the Water Industry and John has a proven record of doing that successfully.

A dedicated representative of the irrigation industry, John is a very worthy candidate and his knowledge and experience would be invaluable as a board director.

Bill Hetherington

Deniliquin

DO YOU still have the old type fuses that require a fuse wire?

If so, there is a plug-in unit that converts them to a circuit breaker, 16-amp at Bunnings in Griffith for $12 each. Unfortunately, I bought five, 16-amp units locally at a cost of $26.95 each.

Stan Graham

Yanco

Yay: To Barnaby (Joyce). Rules are rules. Pirates are allowed a cutlass and an earring, not two Yorkshire terriers.

Nay: There is no excuse or reason that condone physical or emotional abuse of any human being regardless of gender. That also applies to women against men. With all the things in the media about male abuse towards women, it has now escalated the abuse of men by women.

Yay: To the Leeton VRA for their catering at the quilt exhibition. A job well done.