Page 342 - Records of Bahrain (5) (ii)_Neat

662 Records of Bahrain

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advice. The Poll tier. 1 A«cnt tries to influence .ill In the
direction of retaining the land In the Family.
9. From time to time X have discussed with the Adviser to
the Bahrain Government the possibility of the Bahrain Govern­
ment intervening in such eases (if it wore thought desirable
to do so i»i order to save any particular piece of land) and
buying the land. The ownership would then vest in the Bahrain
Governmont, as opposed to tho A1 Khalifah as a family, und the
Government would administer it. Till now it has not been

possible to dovelop the idea owing to lack of funds.
10. I suggest that this system of buying by the Bahrain
Government might now be adopted and extended to land, other
, wl .......... ............. <
than that of the A1 Khnlifah, which mny from time to time come
into the market, if it can be obtained at a reasonable figure.
11. The effect in time would be to make tho Bahrain Govern- ,
ment a considerable landowner and to ensure a new and noro or
less permanent source of revenue for Itself and of employment
and good food for its people, when and if the revenue from
oil follows that from the pearl trade.
12. At one time the Bahrain Government had in their employ
a Director of Agriculture, a Syrian, who did good work so far
as was permitted by tho meagre funds at his disposal. The

post had to be dono away with during the recent financial
crisis, but the Adviser has under consideration the question
of reviving it, now that money 13 available. X would
recommend that the appointment should be made and a strong
agricultural staff be collected to doal with agriculture in
general and with the Bahrain Government lands in particular.
13. There is much room for improve ment in da to farming and
agriculture, and for the introduction of new fruits and
vegetables, and I would like to see agriculture and cow,
sheep and