Page 496 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

24 ADMINISTRATION* REPORT OX THE PERSIAN GOLF POLITICAL

In the year under review the Indian tea has held its own and the total
imported as shown in the statistics is 129,74,034, or an increase of 1152,474 over
the previous year; while the total quantity of Batavia tea imported is 213,83,104
or an increase of 121,80,288.
Indigo.—Tho duty on this article, according to tho new Tariff works out
at about 31 per cent, instead of the 5 per cent, ad valorem which used to be paid
in former years. Notwithstanding this heavy duty, the imports into Bushiro
amounted’to 1132,00,000 or an incrcaso of 122,26,130 over the previous year.
This substantial increase shows that the duty under the new Tariff is not likely
to affect its importation injuriously, and tho more so because of the strict pro­
hibition enforced against the importation of aniline dyes, which to a great
extent used to affect the trade in this article in former years.
Exports,—There was a marked increase in the exports from Bushire and
Arab Coast amounting in the formor place to 3212,32,605* aud in the latter
to 1110,77,375. The items which contributed towards the increaso iu Busbire
arc: Horses 1130,000, Coffee 111,15,700, Grain 111,15,200, Gum and Mastics
322.05.000, Hides and Skins 3200,900, Opium 321,81,000, Tobacco 1260,700, and
woollen piece goods 112,43,500. The increase in tho Arab Coast is mainly due
to pearls, n'j., 1210,00,OoO ; while in the exports from Lingah there was "a net
decrease amounting to 3234,26,070, of which pearls alone are responsible for
3133.00. 000. The decrease in the exportation of pearls from Lingah is due to
their having been sent direct to India from the Arab Coast, instead of being
brought to Lingah and then re-exported as used to be the case in former years.
The reason for this direct shipment was to avoid the payment of 5 per’cent,
duty which the Customs authorities demanded instead of the nominal duty
which used to be paid formerly. But the chief cause which induced the direc’t
shipment was the imposition at Liugah of 5 per cent, duty on dollars, which
used to he largely imported there for tho purchase of pearls. The Customs
authorities Laving found out their mistake, abolished the duty, but the
abolition dees not appear to have had the desired effect, as direct shipments
from the Arab Coast continued on a larger scale in the year under review.
Exchange.—The highest point reached in the Sterling exchange was krans
59-J- in February, ar.d the lowest in October 65J krans. Rupee exchange
varied between 39^4- krans in February and 3C8J krans in October per 32100.
Bar silver to the value of 3219,95,000 was imported through Bushire for
despatch to the Imperial Mint at Tehran. Also krans 46,85,000 were sent
up-country to the various branches of the Imperial Bank of Persia.
Transport,—Owing to the abundant supply and cheap prices of fodder,
mule hire from Bushire to Shiraz has not been so high as last year. The year
opened with a quotation of krans 150 per 100 maunds of 775 lbs. It dropped
to 75 krans in February, but rase again to krans 130 in April. In the begin­
ning of May, mules were not available and the rates rose to as high a figure as
krans 170, but were not maintained at this figure for a long time. In June the
rates dropped to 85 krans and touched the lowest at 65 krans in December. It
is said that the cessation in forwarding of telegraph stores up-country relieved
the pressure on transport and consequently the rates felL
Freights.—The three British lines of steamers plying in the Persian Gulf
having formed a combine, the freights which bad fallen so low as 14 shillings
in the provious year, rose to 25 shillings in the beginning of the year, and con­
tinued steady during tbo first seven months, when they dropped to 20 shillings
for a short time rising at the end of the year to 278. 6d. It is said that freights,
have been fairly remunerative throughout the year, and if tho combine con*
tinues, will pay all the three lines in the end.
Freights to India are charged according to different articles, such a*
general cargo at BIO per ton scale, skin and leather 3225, dates in baskets
S12, rosewater in cases 311 each, in carboys annas 8 each, and horses fi35
each.
Shipping.—Hundred and fifty-nine steamers with a tonnage of 195,292
entered, and 111 with a tonnage of 116,365 cleared tho port of Busbire* showing