Page 621 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY TOR 1889.9a 27

Part IIL—REPORT ON THE TRADE OP SOUTH PERSIA. AND THE
PER8IAN GULF FOR THE YEAR 1889.

The year 1889 was a comparatively prosperous one for South Persia in its
commercial aspect. Not only was there marked increase of the volume of
trade, but good profits were, on the whole, realized by those engaged in it. As
one instance in proof of the increase referred to, it may be mentioned that the
Bushire customs yielded a revenue of about 40 per cent, in excess of that of
the preceding year.
Much attention has been directed to Persia as an outlet for European
manufactures by the opening of the River Karun to international traffic, the visit
of the Shah to Europe, and the formation of the Imperial Bank of Persia.
Possibly the attention so attracted may have led to the shipment to this
country of goods on a scale somewhat disproportionate to the present actual
consumption, and some check may be anticipated unless new forces at work in
the country add speedily to its general prosperity.
Imports.
There was a considerable increase in the import of cotton goods, chiefly
of British (Manchester) manufacture, but, on the
Colton good*.
whole, results were not 60 satisfactory to merchants
as in the year 1SS8. Owing to a “ corner ” in cotton, prices in Manchester rose
considerably, and for a time no corresponding rise occurred in Persia. On the
collapse of the cotton “ring” in 1889, the position improved, and the market
became firmer.
The piece-goods imported were largely of the costlier descriptions, and
towards the end of the year the markets were somewhat overstocked in more
than one article of staple goods, and it was feared that re-action might ensue in
the cotton trade during the current year. However, the good harvests of 1890,
and consequent increased prosperity amongst peasantry and nomads, may avert
that evil.
My attention has been drawn by Messrs. Malcolm, of Bushire, to the re­
marks on Russian red chintzes, contained in my last trade report, which re­
marks require correction. For it appears that the so-called “ Russian” chintzes
are really of English manufacture, and acquired the name of “ Russian ” from
having been originally introduced into Persia through Russia. In the same
way, there are chintzes known as “ Austrian '* which are entirely of Manchester
manufacture. The fact of the so-called " Russian ” goods being imported
through Bunder Abbas is accordingly, if anything, a favourable indication. I
am informed by a leading English merchant that he recently observed Man­
chester goods in the bazars of Tehran which, bearing Indian marks, had un­
doubtedly reached that capital vid Bombay. Indeed there seems every reason
to believe that a larger proportion of British goods make their way to Tehran
from the south than in former times. With improved transit, the results must
be still more satisfactory.
Copper and other metals were imported in largely increased quantities, a
fall in prioes having occurred in Europe, lie
Mctab.
collapse of the Paris Copper Syndicate released large
stocks of that metal, and a sufficient portion was taken by Persia with satisfac­
tory results.
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