Page 297 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MASK AT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1901-1902. 13
During the beginning of the year, mule hire for Shiraz, stood at krans 05 Mulobire.
per 100 maunds of 77511)9. It went down to 80 krans in April, hut in the latter
part of May and during June and July tho rate rose to krans 100. Since then
it has steadily risen till the quotation at the end of December stood.at krans 110.
One unsatisfactory feature in the transport of goods to tho interior and which
calls for serious attention on (lie part of the Persian Government, is the
obnoxious practice resorted to by its officials of impressment of pack animals
on various pretexts of public emergency. This practice not unfrequently causes
serious dislocation in the transport of goods entailing loss and annoyance
to the merchants. To secure this impressment, the petty officials start in all
directions to catch and blackmail all caravans which may come within their
reach. The muleteers who are thus caught, are forced to unload their goods*and
to work for the officials without any remuneration. Some mulct cel's, in order to
escape the impressment, pay heavy fines, while others, in order to avoid the harsh
treatment, abandon the laden merchandise in any part of the road and fly to the
hills. Meanwhile the abandoned goods lie for an indefinite period exposed to all
sorts of risks. ‘When the news of the impressment spreads, all caravan traffic
ceases for weeks until'the oppression subsides.
Freight.—Freight to London for the first six months of the year gradually
dropped from 25s. to 23s. While in July it further fell to 19s., at which rate it
remained standing until December, when owing to competition with a Russian
steamer it declined to 15s.
Shipping.—One hundred and twelve vessels with a tonnage of 130,273
entered the port of Bushirc during the year. Of these, 109 were British and 3
Russian. This, as compared with last year, shows a decline of 2 British, 1
Austrian and 1 Turkish vessels of the tonnage of 9,801, and an increase of 3
Russian of the tonnage of 4,513. The number of vessels which cleared from
Bushirc is 111 with a tonnage of 132,354. This shows a decrease of 8 British
vessels of the tonnage of 3,938 and 2 Austrian of the tonnage of 3,327 and an
increase of 3 Russian vessels of the tonnage of 4,513, or a net decrease, as com­
pared with the past year, of 7 ships and 2,GS7 tons. The number of vessels which
entered the port of Lingah is 83 with a tonnage of 91,300 which shows an increase
of o vessels and 3,3u0 ions. Of these, 81 were British and 2 Russian. Of those
which cleared from Lingah, 45 were British with a tonnage of 49,500 and 3
Russian with a tonnage of 3,300. This shows an increase of 9 vessels and 9,900
tons over the figure of the previous year. It appeal’s likely that British shipping
will suffer from more serious competition in the future than has been the case
in the past, and although the result of the Russian steamer which took cargo
from the Gulf to London could not have been very advantageous to those con­
cerned, it is likely that when trade improves further attempts will be mado in
this direction. Hie heavy subsidies which it is said arc paid to the Russian
steamers will enable them to persevere in their attempts to obtain a share of ie
trade.
Russian Commerce.—A new feature in this year's trade is the establishment
of a direct line of steamers between Russia and the Persian Gulf, inaugurated
by the two voyages of the S.S. Komiloff which brought loaf sugar, korosine oil,
gold-lace and piece-goods, etc., of which the statistics arc not available.
Customs Administration.—The imposition of 5 per cent, customs duty on
both imports and exports for European and native merchants was introduced in
the beginning of the Persian official year commencing from tho 21st March
1901. This of course met with a good deal of opposition at first on the part of
tbo native mcrch\nts. The measure was, however, carried out and has worked
smoothly, without haying had any appreciable effect on trade. The landing
and shipping companies which the late Director of Customs was endeavouring to
introduce came to an untimely cud by his premature death, and it is unlikely
that tho project will bo renewed again. rlho facilities for landing and shipping
cargo are still inadequate when more than one steamer is in port, and it isvory
dosirablc that the customs authorities should take early steps to put the matter
on a satisfactory footing.
In this connection it may he dcsirablo to mention that until the control of
the Gulf port customs was assumed by the present administration, tlic levy of th e
customs duties at Lingah was regulated according to a special tariff which was