Page 155 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR TIIE YEAR 1000-1001. 3

Administration of the Customs in the Persian Qulf.—On fcho 21st March
1900 the control of tho Customs was, as stated in last year’s report, taken
under the direct management of tho Persian Government. M. Simais, formerly
Commercial AttacluS of tho Belgian Legation at Tehran, arrived in Busbire and
took up bis appointment as " Director-General of the Customs of Pars,” acting
under the orders of M. Naus, the Belgian Minister of Customs at Tehran.
Other Belgian officials arrived, and the administration of tho Customs
at Busbire, Lingah and Bandar Abbas was formally assumed. As was only to
be expected, the new administration, which interfered with so many vested
interest*, experienced at the outset considerable opposition. At first it was
intended to impose a uniform import duty of 5 per cent, ad valorem on ail goods
imported into Persia by the native merchants instead of the hitherto prevail­
ing specific rates. This proposal, however, was stoutly opposed, and the
native merchants of Bushire and Shiraz refused to clear their goods from the
Customs House. For a month or more business was entirely suspended, and
goods imported remained uncleared. Both in Bushire and Shiraz the excite­
ment was considerable, and it was feared that serious disturbances would occur.
Ihe Persian Government, therefore, decided to introduce a new tariff on
a sliding scale, which would bo more favourable to the native merchants than the
proposed 5 per cent. rate. This tariff was also opposed, but tbe Persian Govern­
ment remained firm, and by tbe first week in August the new tariff came in
force. Since then matters have progressed smoothly, and at the time of writing
this report tLe Customs Administration have succeeded in bringing into force
tbe 5 per cent, rate for all native-owned goods. Native merchants and foreign­
ers are now, therefore, on the same footing as regards the payment of duty.
So far as the interests of European merchants are concerned, the establish­
ment of the Belgian Customs Administration at the Gulf Ports ba9 been,
I believe, entirely beneficial, and various improvements have been effected. In
course of time, under the present able and eneigetic management of M. Simai9,
many other desirable improvements will undoubtedly be effected. The orders
of the Persian Government against the importation of arms and ammunition,
are now being energetically carried out. At the smaller ports, however, where
the new administration has not ss yet been able to assume control, tbe smug­
gling of arms still 'continues. It is said, however, that tho Persian Govern­
ment are considering the question of purchasing iwo small gunboats for tho
purpose of patrolling the coast of the Persian Gulf with a view to put a stop
to the smuggling. M. Simais tells me that he has seized and confiscated more
than 1,000 rifies and 200,000 rounds of ammunition during the year.
From the point of view of the Persian Government, tbe new system of
Customs management has resulted in a large increase of revenue. From
a return, which the Director-General was good enough to give me, his adminis­
tration in the Gulf has succeeded in bringing in an income of 3,947,000 krans,
a considerable increase ever the sura of krans 2,400,000 for which the Customs
were formerly farmed. When it is considered that for about two months at
the beginning of the year business was practically at a standstill, owing to
tho opposition which the new administration experienced, that the trade of
Bandar Abbas has shown a great falling off, and that there are several minor
ports where the Belgians have not yet succeeded in establishing their control,
it will he understood how profitable, from the point of view of increased
revenue, the new system is likely to prove.
Settlement of Claims for Compensation,—During the past year the long
outstanding claim of Messrs. David Sasson & Co., amounting to tomans 6,053,
on account of goods missing from the Customs House in Bushire, has been
settled, as also the claim of Messrs. Lynch Brothers for tomans 600 on account
of robbery of specie.
His Imperial Majesty the Shah has decided to send a special delegate
to Bushirc to inquire into the numerous claims of British subjects against tho
Persian Government. The delegate has not yet arrived, but is expected shortly.
Demise of Her late Majesty Queen-Empress Victoria,—The melancholy
nows of the demise of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen-Empress Victoria
!Ins received in Bushire with universal sorrow. The principal officials of tho
Persian Government, the representatives of Foreign Governments and most of