Page 40 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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They arc at present leased to and farmed by
British-Indian Banins.
80 far back as 1698, the Political Resident in 1898.
tho Persian Gulf broached tlio subject with the Government of
Chief, who gave Colonel Mendo to understand that April 2i SoVl*1
lie would not renow tho farmer’s lcaso without first Jmlia office,
Juno 8, l'JU4.
communicating with him. Despito this under­
standing, the loose was subsequently extended
for a period of two years. Shortly afterwards
the Sheikh again promised not to enter into any
fresh contract without first informing tho Resi­
dent. Rut in January 1900 Colonel Meade 1900.
reported that the Sheikh had again departed
from his engagements, and had prolonged tho
leaso for a further term of two years, without
previous intimation. A. remonstrance was made,
and the Chief expressed regret; but, neverthe­
less, when in 1001, at the instance of Sir N. 1901.
O’Conor, it was again suggested that ho should
employ a British subject to supervise tho
Customs, he once moro declined to accede to
tho wishes of His Majesty’s Government.
On tho occasion of his tour in the Persian 1903.
Gulf in 1903, the Viceroy spoke seriously about
tho matter to the Chief, and pointed out to him
tho necessity of a chango in the existing
arrangements. The Sheikh asked for time “for
reflection; "but this only resulted in his reas­
serting his unwillingness to redress the abuses
which had called forth complaints.
The conclusions formulated on tho subject by 1901,
the Government of India aro indicated in their
despatch of the 21st April, 1901:—
“The need for reform is clearly indicated by the
figures given in Colonel Kcmhall’s letter. Tho Chief’s
present income from bin Customs is 1,10,200 rupees,
while the revenue which may he expected under an
efficient system is estimated at 3,50,000 rupees. Tho
practicability of the chutigc is proved by the exnmplo
of Muscat, where, in partial compliance with our withes,
the Sultau has taken the Customs administration under
direct management, and has already reaped considerable
benefit from the arraugement. The matter is obviously
one to which we cannot remain indifferent. Committed,
as wo are, to tho support of Sheikh limned, it is
incumbent on us to take measures to insure that, on his
accession, lie may find his house in order, and may not
bo burdened with a heavy legacy of debt accumulated
by the improvidence of his predecessor. For this reason
we consider that the question is not one which can bo
allowed to drop, even if it wore possible to overlook tho
Sheikh’s repeated breaches of faith and his persistently
contumacious attitude with regard to it. In faot, the