Page 526 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

64 ADMINISTRATION RETORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Merchants aro hampered by the absence of telegraphic communication.
The nearest point at which a telegraph station oxi3t3 i3 Jask, about 120 miles
off. An extension of the land lino from Jask to Bunder Abbas would be a
great boon to the port.
Communication 6. The Vice-Consul is ready to place British merchants in communication
with Tradore.
with local traders, or to give them any information in his power (subject to
the general rules) on receipt of any enquiry.
Tariff Altera­ 7. On the 1*1 th February 1003 a new tariff was introduced by which im­
tions, etc.
port duties wero iu the main increased and export duties reduced. The import
duties on wine and spirits, tea and indigo, and the export duty on opium were
very largely increased.
Import of indigo was greatly reduepd during the last year. Tho import of
tea and export of opium, however, do not seem to have been affected until the
new Tariff had been in operation about six months. Trade in both commodities
was very brisk at the beginning of the year, but fell off greatly at tho end of
the year. During the first two months of this (1901) year trade in tea and
opium has been prac:ically at a standstill.
Merchants trading with Persia have doubtless studied tbo new Tariff
Regulations, and no::ced that with few exceptions the new duties are charged
by weight and that such weights include the weight of all wrappings, boxes,
bottles, barrels, etc., which according to ordinary trade custom change hands
when the commodities are bought and sold. Merchants have doubtless taken
steps to reduce any unnecessary weight in all coverings which are usually sold
with the commodity.
To facilitate passage of goods through Customs it would seem advisable
that merchants and shippers should take steps to have the weight with wrap­
pings marked on piece goods, etc., and to show the weight of goods as well as
Yilue in invoices.
Communica­
tions. 8. Means of communication are very bad. The roads to Kerman and Yezd
are by no means safe, chough robberies were less frequent in 1903 than in for*
mer years.
The Persian Government Post was robbed once or twice during the year.
The rates for carriage were comparatively low during the year. The rate to
Yezd varied from 30 • to 40 tomans per
• £3-16 to £7-13.
100 Yezd maunds, that is about 1,400 lbs.
The rate to Kerman varied between 161 to
t £3-1 to £3-*.
18 tomans per 100 Tabriz maunds of 7 lbs.
each, about 700 lbs.
At the date of writing (March 1904) rates to Kerman and Yezd are 8 and
25 tomans, very low owing to no merchandize having arrived here lately,
Exchange. . 9« Exchange here is mostly with India, and rupees are in common circular
tion. Sovereigns are rarely seen. Exchange varied from krans 3J to krans
per rupee. In the annexed tables exchange is taken at 3J krans per
rupee equal to 52J krans per sovereign.
Shipping. 10. The shipping table annexed shows the increase in tonnage of^ British
shipping during the past year. In addition to the Steam Ship Companies men­
tioned in last year’s report, the West Hartlepool Company has established a
service of steamers from England to the Gulf, which call occasionally at this
port
Freights from Bunder Abbas to London have varied from 25 shillings per
ton for gum, etc., to 36-6 per ton for carpets and valuable articles. Freights
from Bombay to Bunder Abbas from R10 per ton to R12 per ton.

A, P. TREVOR,
Hit Britannic Majesty’« Vice-Consul,
Hunger Abbas.