DEAL IN SHEEP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 7

DEAL IN SHEEP.

SATISFACTORY STATE PURCHASE,

(By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, July' 3. Particulars of a very satisfactory State purchase of 25,000 fat ewes to be distributed during the winter in relief rations were given to the House of Representatives- to-day by Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands. Four or five months ago, he said, fat ewes were selling at 4s (xl per head, a price which was disastrous to the farmer. While the Government would not attempt to purchase at that price, it instructed an agent to buy at a minimum of 5s 6d per head and purchases were made, at an average of 5s 3d. This had the effect of improving the market for the sale of fat stock in the Dominion and particularly relieved the jn-essure in the drought period in Hawke’s Bay. “I understand,” continued the Alinister, “that the sale of the by-pro-ducts has practically paid the whole of the expenses and the freezing companies have given six months’ free cold storage. The whole of the sheep were treated as if they were to be exported so that should the local demand not be up to expectations we could sell the surplus at 100 per cent profit.” Replying to questions, the Minister stated that the purchases were made in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and the West Coast of the North Island.