Well, I've had a week to think about the company's statement now, and I'm not convinced by that view. It's certainly a possible outcome - as it is with any issue - but I can't see that as the most obvious reading.
The suggestion that the bigger holders don't want to put in cash is possible, but there's no evidence to support it, is there? The big holders DID put in cash last September, we assume, in the middle of a global panic.
An equally plausible explanation is that about 500 people bought into the prefs, but only 179 attended the issue just 2 years later, and then only for an average of $3800 (at a time when the media was telling us the whole world would collapse within weeks, let's not forget, which it didn't.) It's perfectly reasonable that the board consider other sources of cash as well therefore, and that may be all that the statement was saying.
Having said that, reality will obviously dictate what happens this time, regardless of intentions. I await further news with interest. Obviously we'll all be more comfortable when we know where the capital raising is going.
However, that's just my view. I know nothing more than anyone else.
In the meantime, I've emailed the company indicating how much I might be willing to put in next time, assuming suitable terms are offered. I assume that's useful information to them.