Page 298 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

u ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

in vogue from the time when the port was under Arab Governors. The com­
mercial importance of the port of Lingah is entirely dependent on the fact that
it is used as a distributing centre for the Arab coast, and merchandise imported
into Lingah for re-exportation abroad, whether it broke bulk or not, paid a
nominal transhipment duty at so much per package. At the beginning of their
control, the Belgian administration adhered to the former practice, but of late
they have been more strict and a regular 5 per cent, duty lias been levied on all
goods imported into I.ingah, and a similar rate at the time of re-exportation
when the goods have broken bulk. If tin's is persisted in, it is possible that
the British and oth*_r traders who deal with the Arab coast will send their
merchandise direct, instead of by transhipment at Lingah, which will no doubt
tell upon the prosperity of the place.
Ad mi nisi rollon of Justice.— British merchants still suffer from the inatten­
tion of the Persian Government to their claims against Persian subjects. With
reference to the remarks under this head in last year’s report, one of the leading
merchants and a gentleman of great experience in Persia writes that, taking into
consideration the social, religious and political conditions of the country, he
doubts the possibility of any improvement in the way of the administration of
justice, lie rather advises British merchants to exercise more caution in their
dealings, and to avoid giving indiscriminate credit.
Import#. Cotton Goods.—The increase shown is Its. 37,11,315 which has been due
rather to over-speculation facilitated by a long credit system, than to actual
increase in demand. In many eases cost prices have not been realized.
Drugs and Medicines.—The increase (Us. GS,G37) shown is not real hut is
specially due to the shipment of opium made abroad having been returned on
account of the drug being largely adulterated and not suited to the requirements
of the market.
Mutches.—The increase of Us. 3G,2S9 shown under this head is due to over-
speculation. and prices realized were greatly under cost.
Kero sine Oil.—Owing to keen competition between rival firms in Bushire,
prices have gone down considerably. Pormcrly there was only one firm which
used to import, on a large scale, directly from Batoum and was in a position to
regulate its own price. In 1900, the average price of a ease of kerosinc oil was
Es. 1-S, while during the present year it went down to Es. 3, owing to large
shipments which were brought by the S.S. Korniloff.
Provisions.—The increase of Es. 1,GG,931 is chiefly due to a large quantity
of flour and grain having been imported from India owing to high prices ruling
in the the local market for wheat, etc.
Loaf and Soft Sugar.—The decrease under this head is Es. 3,12,655 owing
to the market being ovm-stockcd in the previous year and heavy shipments
having arrived in the early part of the year under review, the prices fell very
smartly and business was very much reduced. A steady decliuc in ^Marseilles,
however, led dealers to operate again, hut the arrival at the latter part of the
year of 1,000 eases agaiu sent prices down.
Tea.—The increase of Es. 3,10,705 is simply due to speculation, and in the
majority of cases, native merchants who liad given large orders, declined to
accept the consignments under some pretext or other, owing to the market
being dull.
Horses.—The increase under this head is Es. 22,520. The number of horses
Exports.
exported, though yet small compared with previous years, was an improvement
on 1900.
Cotton.—This article shows a decline of Es. 1,79,281 due to a scanty crop
and also to a dull market abroad.
Almond Kernels.—There has been a largo decrease of Es. 1,01,870. The
price of almond kernels which went up very high in the previous year, foil to
GO*, in the present year, and there has been no improvement since. 1 crsian
sellers on this side having been misled by an unprecedented price of the prcviou
vear invested this vear at enhanced prices and did not care to sell unless tney
could cover cost. Thus a large stock has been left in the country unexported for
want of inducement in the consuming markets abroad.