Chapter 3 The Abortive Combine, 1906

the actual change in policy came in 1906. For some years before this Lever had become convinced of the advantages to be derived from a combine. He had read a paper at Port Sunlight as early as 1903, explaining his general views. ²⁵⁶ As will be shown presently, he did not believe in either the desirability or the efficacy of price agreements. ²⁵⁷ In 1905, indeed, he resigned his membership of the Soap Makers’ Association; he said ‘after long experience we have failed to find any benefit in continuing members’. ²⁵⁸ But neither, as will be shown, did he believe in uncontrolled competition.