Page 686 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
148
, i- i„o nnntainine aniline are prohibited import or
Aniline dyes and articles contain g ^ prohihitloil( however.
was
Eabarffo. not enforced until January of this
year
ri9Q6l which had the effect of causing a large export of carpet*, efforts being
made to clear stocks before the prohibition should take effect. b
The embargo against the export of cereals, which was imposed some year*
still continues in foroe. *
BgO
The Commercial Mission from India has been touring over South-East and
Central Persia from October 1904 to
Openings for British trade.
March 1906. The Mission’s report when
published should be studied thoroughly, for the markets which this port
supplies are those of South-East and Central Persia, and it is to these market*
that merchants should look for openings.
Rod oxide of iron and salt are obtainable from Hormuz Island; a large
quantity of raw cotton, wool, assafcetida, almonds, pistachio nuts and raisins
are exported.
The raw cotton and wool furnish openings which might be better utilized
by merchants trading direct with the United Kingdom. The whole of the
export in these articles is at present to Indian ports whence, I believe, they
are re-shipped to the United Kingdom.
The rise during the year is due paitly to a better market in India, partly
to the heavier import duties in Russia, and perhaps also to the general dis­
location of trade owing to the Busso-Japsn 'War; much of this trade has conse­
quently been diverted southwards, and could, I think, be further improved.
In spite of the general depression in the import trade, Russian and
German goods have advanced steadily,
Progres* of riral trade.
whilst American goods and Mauritius
sugar appear in the returns for the first time. Imports from the Arab Coast
have also improved. Apart from the general depression, French, Austrian and
Chinese imports have declined considerably.
The figures for tea are remarkable ; the import from India, China and
Java has declined by 61, 80, 62 per cent, in each case. A very little Ceylon
tea has been imported lor the first time, but it is difficult to entirely explain
the above figures.
Large stocks were held by merchants before the heavy rise in duty, but
large as these were, they could hardly represent over 65 per cent, of the
previous year’s import. The local explanation is that the tea, Indian
as well as other kinds, now finds entrance to Persia by Borne other route, either
from Quetta through Seistan or from the north by the Russian railways.
It is satisfactory to note that the position of Indian and Ceylon teas is
now better than that of Java tea, larger quantities having been lately imported.
In loaf sugar France has suffered from German, Russian and Egyptian
competition; and British, Russian and Mauritius soft sugars have displaced a
considerable amount of the Austrian article.
Though much kerosine oil is now brought in Russian bottoms, the trade,
from Bombay by native boats, has in no way suffered.
In exports the most notable increases are to Arabia and Switzerland
entirely carpets, and the Arab Coast, miscellaneous goods. The decrease has
been in carpets to Turkey and Turkish Arabia,
One of the greatest difficulties at this port is the want of a bank. Borne
Difieiltia b wtjof trad*. years ago the subject was opened by the
Manager of the Imperial Bank of Persia,
but was allowed to drop. A bank would, I think, after a short time do
excellent business, it is desired by all merchants and the facilities for drafts
loans and other banking business would certainly give trade an impetus. At
present all loan business is carried on by Hindus at a very high rate of interest.
Again drafts on India are also entirely in their hawfla.