	jardine matheson replaces b share by bonus issue jardine matheson holdings ltd jard hk said it will withdraw the previously announced four for one bonus issue of b shares and replace it by a two for five bonus issue of ordinary shares a statement said the firm expects to pay total dividends for of not less than cents a share on the expanded capital jardine matheson decided to withdraw its issue because of a joint announcement earlier today by ronald li chairman of the stock exchange of hong kong and securities commissioner ray astin that the listings of new b shares would be barred the official announcement said this will include the proposal by jardine matheson but the jardine statement quoted chairman simon keswick as saying we continue to believe that the issuing of b shares would benefit shareholders and regret that they will not be given the opportunity to vote on the matter at this stage keswick said the b share issue will benefit jardine matheson s shareholders by giving the firm flexibility to issue ordinary shares for expansion in future without diluting existing shareholders voting rights however he added we certainly welcome the secretary for monetary affairs david nendick s referral of this very important matter to the standing committee on company law reform and are hopeful that the process will lead to the development of general principles which can be embraced by all constituents of the hong kong market reuter 
