Page 585 - Records of Bahrain (6)_Neat

Development projects, 1941-1946 5 73

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28. I also spoke to him about his giving up the
Commandant-ship to which he replied that he would
rather not do that. For one reason lie thought that
if he did, sheikh Khalifah would resign. It would
be a pity if he were to resign since he works quite
hard, but it is no good Belgrave's holding u pistol
at our heads. Not only does Belgruve not wish to
give up the work but I think tho shaikh also would
be disturbed If a new officer were put in charge of
his guards, and Belgrave would, of course, lose a
very great deal of face. This would not be to our
advantage, and I do not think that the resulting
efficiency in the police Force would compensate the
above two considerations. But that something has
to be done to re-organise the forco is clear and 1
think the best course is to push Belgrave into really
putting his mind to the problem. I have already set
the ball rolling, vide paragraph 27 above, if he
fails then the question of a new Commandant can be
taken up in full detail.
s tf-1
29. As regards finance. On the genefal question
I arn awaiting Belgrave's reply to ^my^ietter based on
Government of India letter No.D.9680-ME/45 dated the
•> 22nd August, 1945. in the meantime you ask me my
• opinion as to whether the state is capable of adminis­
tering its own finances. On the general question I
think the answer is in the affirmative. The Sheikh
takes very close Interest in all financial matters
and thinks very carefully before authorising new
expenditure. Belgrave also is very conservative as
you know, and I think he can be relied upon to move
cautiously. This, combined with our control which
counter-balances the general conservativeness of the
State side, should, I think, be sufficient on main
issues# Against this, however, I am quite in the
dark as to the actual state of the State's finances
and I do not think that Belgrave can be fully conver­
sant with the details of the various departments.
I am not at all satisfied that the Budget as published
gives us a true picture. I think it is absolutely
essential that the State's accounts should be submitted
. for audit annually. if that is done we should know
actually where j are. This, in my opinion, is a
necessary safeguard on our as well as the State's side.
With your approval I should like to make the proposal
to the Sheikh.
30. With regard to the Town Planning Belgrave tells
me that there is a plan and he has promised to send it
to mo, or a copy. I have not received it as yet. When
it does come it will be interesting to see if the proposal
for the building of new Government offices on the site
where tho post office Is situated and the removal of the
Customs shed in the main bazaar street, about which I
have asked Belgrave for more details, is included in
tho plan. The removal of tho Customs shed to make way
for now Government offices is a typical example of the
piece-meal method of expenditure. It would, of course,
be nice to have a new building at the port gate, but
against that it would cost, I suppose, many lakhs of
/rupees

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