Page 299 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICATi AGENCY FOB THE YEAR 1001-1902. 15
Wheal.—The decline of Rs. 1,59,172 is due to no shipments having been
made abroad owing to a partial failure of the crop and heavy prices ruling in
the local market.
Gurn.—The decline of Rs. 1,11,234 is owing to a dull market abroad and
largo quantities lying uncleared in London did not afford sufficient inducement
to shipments being made to any considerable extent.
Hides and Shins.—Trade in this article which had dwindled to a consider­
able extent due to plague and quarantine measures in India, is again regaining
its old proportion, and this year the increase recorded is Rs. 2,01,970. A large
quantity was exported to India and to the United Kingdom. The shipments to
India arc, as a rule, intended for transhipment abroad.
Opium__The decrease under this head is Rs. 5,30,575. Prices in China
having fallen heavily, merchants have been unwilling to part with their stock
and a large quantity is accumulated in the country. It is said that this fall in
price is principally due to adulteration of the drug being carried on to a consi­
derable extent; and unless some supervision is exercised in the preparation of
the drug, Persian opium may eventually be discredited in China. The attention
shewn by Japan to Persian opium, is likely to promote exportation to that
country.* Two Japanese gentlemen, experts in opium, visited the principal
opium* centres in Persia to study the conditions of the trade and methods of the
preparation of the drug.
Shells.— The decrease under this head is Rs. 37,190 due to high prices
ruling in the local market, and the markets abroad being overstocked. The
export has been in the hands of regular shippers.
Tobacco.—The increase of Rs. G7,S90 is merely nominal. In reality the
tobacco crop has been a failure, specially in the Ispahan district, where it is
largely cultivated. It is said that the Societd-du-Tombac has sublet its conces­
sions to a syndicate of Turkish subject? in Bey rout, who have sent a representa­
tive to Ispahan. This monopoly continues to be distasteful to Persian merchants,
but as the Societe pays a certain subsidy to the Persiau Government, the priests
and the merchants are unable to free themselves from the yoke of the foressn
monopolists.
Wool.—Though the statistics show an increase of Rs. 55,G10’, yet operations
ha\ e been disappointing. The expected prices wliieh led to the shipments were
not realized.
Carpels.—The decrease of Rs. 2,53,381 is due to the overstocked state of
the markets abroad, in consequence of which, shipments fell considerably.

C. A. KEMBALL,
His Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul-General
for Fat's, Klmzistan, etc.
Busuiue;
The 3ht March 1002.