The merger agreement or consolidation plan, executed by all the parties thereto, shall be submitted to the commissioner who shall, within 60 days from the date of submission, endorse thereon his approval or disapproval. If the commissioner shall disapprove the agreement or plan, he shall forthwith file a memorandum in the department stating the reasons for his disapproval, and shall mail a copy of the memorandum to each of the companies which is a party to the merger agreement or consolidation plan. The commissioner shall not withhold his approval unless he shall find that the merger agreement or consolidation plan contains provisions which do not conform to this chapter, or that the merger or consolidation will not be in the public interest.
N.J.S. § 17:14A-39