Page 293 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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12 lbs, of wheat, 4 lbs. of flour and 4 lbs. of barley. Sugar
has also been rationed at lbs. per month per adult but it Is
satisfactory to note that stocks of tea, coffee, and dates were
sufficient to meet local demands though there was a distinct

shortage of certain kinds of plecegoods.
Cattle, sheep, goats, ghee, charcoal, fire-wood,
potatoes, and fresh fruit have all to be obtained from neigh­
bouring countries as the vegetation and the climate of the
islands are not conducive to cattle-breeding or fruit and potato
cultivation. There was a serious shortage of these commodities

in the late summer and autumn but the decision of the Government
of India to permit the export of an increased quota of tea and
sugar from India greatly relieved the situation as it provided
local merchants with goods for barter purposes.

It has been the policy of the Agency and the Bahrain
Government that while the Bahrain Government continue to be the
sole importers of essential cereals and sugar, quotas for tea,
coffee, ghee, piecegoods and cigarettes are divided among the

established importers of these commodities.
It Is desirable to mention how v/ell the Municipalities
of Manamah and Moharraq have co-operated with the Bahrain

Government in the issue of ration cards and the distribution of
rationed foodstuffs. The ration system is working remarkably
well and surprisingly smoothly when it is considered that two-
thirds of the population are quite illiterate. The cereal and
sugar rations are considered by local medical authorities to be

adequate for the physical needs cf the people but unfortunately
many of the poorer members of the community have not the where­
withal to purchase a full ration with the result that malnutri­

tion and its attendant bodily disorders is becoming apparent*
The continual increase in the prices of essential foodstuffs Is
a matter for grave concern to the local authorities, and it may
well be that if prides continue to rise not only will it be

necessary to make further and large increases in war allowances

but