Page 292 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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(ii) The Persian Gulf Fighter Fund which was opened by the
Hon'ble the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf in November

1940 was closed on September the 8th, The appeal had been very
well answered both by the Rulers and their subjects and sufficient
funds were raised to provide 10 Fighter Aircraft for the Royal
Air Force. Bahrain’s contribution amounted to Rs.2,16,555/4/9j

the Trucial Coast sheikhdoms contributed Rs.1,14,112/4/-, and
the Shaikh of Qatar and his people Rs.48,175/14/3.
22. ECONOMIC
(i) Banking and Currency
Trade during the year was dull and the business of the

Eastern Bank consisted chiefly of financing the requirements
of the Oil Companies, the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal
Air Force. The sterling selling rate on London was lsh.6d. per
rupee and the selling rate on India fluctuated during the year

between par and 1% discount. During the year the Bank imported
from India Rs.70,00,000 in Indian Currency notes. The sales on
India amounted to Rs.20,26,745 against Rs.67,20,500 for the year
1942. This large decrease is accounted for by the export
restrictions in India.

(ii) Foodstuffs:
In spite of serious difficulties towards the end of
the year there was at no time an actual shortage of essential

foodstuffs during the period under review either on the Trucial
Coast, in Qatar, or in Bahrain.
The prices of essential foodstuffs have been closely
controlled in Bahrain with the satisfactory result that prices
have on the whole been considerably lower than in neighbouring

countries*
At the beginning of the year each adult was issued with
a monthly ration of 20 lbs. of cereals which was made up of 8 lbs.

of rice and 12 lbs. of wheat, but owing to the fact that fresh
rice supplies were not forthcoming by the end of the year rice
had been eliminated from the ration which was then composed of

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