Page 283 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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It Is hoped that a new switchboard which has been on order since
January of 1943 will shortly arrive and enable the Department
to accept new subscribers.
9. PEARLING INDUSTRY
The number of pearling dhows in operation during the

year was much the same as that In 1942 and the catch was
reasonably good. Prices continued to rise on the Bombay market
for the medium and inferior grades of pearls but there was only
a slight rise in the price of the better quality pearls. This

was due to the fact that whereas the low and medium grade pearls
find a ready market in India the high grade varieties are normally
purchased by dealers on the European and American markets, The
centre of the European market has always been in Paris which is

for obvious reasons at present closed to nine-tenths of the
world and the American market is reported to be particularly
dull owing to very few purchases being possible out of income

because of the high cost of living in the United States and the
inclination of people with considerable private fortunes to
invest in Defence and other Government loans rather than in the
purchase of luxuries. Generally speaking, as far as Bahrain
was concerned, the season can be described as a good one.

Actual figures have not yet been worked out by the Bahrain
Government but there is no doubt that very considerable business

was done during the year, one Indian merchant alone making
purchases in Bahrain and on the Trucial Coast which amounted to
rather more than 20 lacs of rupees.
10. CUSTOMS.

Although the amount of imports decreased during 194-3>
due in a large measure to export restrictions imposed by the
Government of India and shortage of shipping space which made it
wellnigh impossible to obtain goods from other sources* the

actual income was higher than it had been during any individual
year for the last 20 years. The receipts were approximately
14J lacs which is 5 lacs more than in 1942 and this very

considerable • • • •