Page 396 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

28 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
residenct
5. The peace of the Gulf is now assured under British protectorate
nnd the fisheries are regularly worked by the maritime tribes of Far*
and Oman.
They arc emphatically “ free to all” and afford sustenance throughout
the year to at least 35,000 heads of families, who are thus kept healthily
employed, and reclaimed from the old courses of plunder and piracy,
occupations towards which the untutored Arab mind lias most deter­
mined proclivities. But the term “ free to all" is used in the sense of
free to all the inhabitants of the coast, and the policy of Government
is to discourage interference from outside.
There have been indeed two endeavours made of late years by
European British subjects to woo fortune by organizing an expedition
in a more thorough and wholesale manner than it would be in the
power of the Arab divers to attempt.
The wishes of Government, however, once made clear, no persistence
was offered, and no doubt it would be unsafe for any foreign boats to
carry on diving operations without the protection of our vessels. The
Turks atone may be looked to as a possible but not probable cause of
unpleasantness in the future.
(>. In consequence then of this valid protectorate, the fisheries are
carried on most peaceably by the various tribes, under the acknowledged
authority of Government, and in cases of difficulty or the clash of
interests, those concerned would always (failing an understanding between
their Chiefs) refer the matter in dispute to the friendly arbitration of
the British Resident, whose decision is final.
There arc many advantages derived from the state of affairs above
sketched. The Persian Gulf is now free from the pirates that used to
infest it, and trade is carried on by our own subjects in all safety. The
Chiefs of the coast are enriched by the trade that is brought to their
capitals and advantaged by the state of general security and immunity
from dread of attack and plunder.
The general population is as I think has been shown above largely
benefited. Besides these indirect advantages (if the term is applicable),
the Sheikhs retain a few in the matter of the fisheries themselves, par­
taking of the nature of taxes, the yearly income derived from which,
being a gain of a more obvious character, would necessarily be far more
appreciated.
7. I allude to the impositions of u Nob " and “ Traz " levied on
the boats engaged in the fisheries.
The “ Nob " was a tax originally imposed by the Chief of Bahrein
about the Mahomcdan year 1210 (say eighty years ago) to enable him
to equip war vessels for the protection of his own fishing smacks, and
the banks generally. For this purpose four decently armed vessels were
on perpetual duty, and they levied one share on the result of the fish”*#
of every boat that cast anchor on the batiks. If the boats preferred
to conqiouiu], a money payment of three rupees was taken, which sum
was afterwards raised to lour rupees, at which amount it stood when
the British Government became responsible for the security of the
Gulf.