Page 180 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

28 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

fallen, and dealers in this were hardly able to realize invoice prices. Java tea
is gotting out of favour and has caused losses to the dealers.
Woollen goods.—'These show an iucreaso of Rs. 93,708, which is chiefly
contributed by broad cloth. Germany heads the list, and the United Kingdom
comes next, then Austria and France. The returns shew a falling off in Cash­
mere shawls, but this is duo to the fact that tho merchants in India have
taken to sending through the post largo parcels for which no statistics aro avail­
able. On an average 100 parcels of shawls are rcccivod in a year.
F-xporta. Morses.—Tho decrease is more nominal than real. There has been a slight
rise in tho value of horses in tho year. About 80 horses, which had arrived
from up-country in the middlo of December, were awaiting shipment and were
not 6ont out till tho first part of January, hence their value has not been shown
in tho returns.
Arms and ammunition.—Tho remarks under imports against this item
equally apply to exports.
Colton.—'This shews an increase of Rs. 2,94,080. India has taken the
largest quantity. The cotton crop was fairly good ; the shipments, however,
do not appear to have realized paying rates.
Mates.—The date crop was abundant everywhere, but the decrease in the
export is duo to the vessels which usually car: n! the shipments to India having
found it more profitable to take grain in lieu, with the result that the export
of dates was neglected.
Almonds.—Tho failure of the almond crop in Syria and some parts of
Europe induced large shipments. The price per package of If cwts. rose from
Rs. 25 last year to Rs. 32, and even then substantial profits appear to have been
realized. Owing to good prices being obtainable in France, Germany and
America, large quantities were exported to those countries. Total inorcase in
the exports was Rs. 4,70,698.
Wheal.—Though the harvest was abundant, the prices did not decline to
the extent to induce shipments abroad, and those that were made by the lead­
ing British firms proved unremunerative.
Gum.—Large profits having been made on the shipments of last year, many
who had stood aloof from the trade were induced to participate in it. Prices
were unduly pushed up, and it is reported that large stocks have remained in
London unsold at the close of the year. Hitherto the United Kingdom has
headed the list in the importation of this article, hut Germany has also come
forward now, and many of the cases manifested for London are said to be
intended for Germany.
Hides and Skins.—Plague restrictions against the export of this article to
countries where usually it used to he exported have resulted in a decrease to
the extent of Rs. 1,64,745. It is reported that hides and skins prepared in
Persia are finding favour abroad, and, if plague restrictions were removed, the
trade would again assume its former dimensions. The bulk of the packages
shipped to India are intended for transhipment to London and other parts of
Europe.
Opium.—The adulteration of Persian opium has become so apparent that
cases have been returned from China, being unsuited for the markets there.
Prices have also gone up to the extent of Rs. 100 per case, A considerable
quantity was exported to the United Kingdom, and Egypt also took some.^ The
export to China was 64 cases less than last year. The total increase in the
export is Rs. 5,70,900.
Hose water.—A good crop induced larger shipments than last year.
Shells.—The losses made last year have acted as a deterrent against ship­
ments of promiscuous sorts being made, and exporters have been careful to send
only, picked shells; but even these do not appear to have realized sufficient
prices to cover freight and other charges. Pearl fisheries have proved a failure;
The total decrease over the previous year is Rs, 1,77,339.
Silk, raw.—Large quantities of previous years* exports haying remained
unsold deterred shipments being made on any large 6cale. It is slso
that the production from Kborassan and other silk-growing districts is unaing
its way to Russia, where good prices are said to be obtainable.