Page 546 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

30 ADMINISTRATION RKFORT OF Till* PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
pa thy to bestow on tlie condition of their less fortonnt® countrymen
but any practical attempts to improve matters are rarely beheld.
26. Persian rulers understand perfectly well that on the well,
being of the working classes depends that of all, and that the general
interests of the country require security and encouragement to he ex­
tended to the population. Unfortunately those in immediate authority,
under the system adopted, too generally are impelled by their immediate
interests, and even necessities, to a course of action leading to very
different results.
26. A Zabit who has, from desperation, or perhaps from enmity to
his neighbour, engaged to pay more revenue than his district can fairly
yield, is in no mood for philosophical reflections, but 'will proceed straight­
way to extract what he can from those delivered over to his charge.
If they resist, he will appeal for support, probably with success. When
office is systematically given to the highest bidder without reference
to any fixed and well-grounded assessment, and where taxes of dis­
tricts are gradually being raised without corresponding increase of pro­
duction, sr.chi cases might be expected to occur. It is generally believed
they do occur with the inevitable result of disturbances and the gradual
depopulation of once flourishing districts. Under such a system there
can be no appeal open to the peasant.
27. In return for his contributions to the revenues, it is difficult to
point to the benefits conferred by the Government on the husbandman.
No roads arc constructed, no courts of justice constituted, no personal
protection provided. In a district where feuds are frequent (e, g.,
Dashtistan) the peasant ordinarily prepares himself for his night's repose
by arming himself to the teeth. A military force is certainly main­
tained, but the most frequent active employment of the soldiers is
operating against the peasantry to enforce payment of revenue.
28. The general wants felt by all engaged in commerce in Sooth
Persia are such as depend for their
General requirement*.
supply on the introduction of an im­
proved system of administration and need scarcely be specified here.
29. At the larger ports of the Persian Gulf, the administrative
system does not provide adequately for
Local impediment* to British
trade. efficient, speedy and authoritative hear­
ing and decision of suits brought by
British or other foreign subjects against Persian subjects. Recourse
is usually had to a council of merchants, but this arrangement is on no
formal basis, and responsibility is not sufficiently determined. The
establishment of mixed commercial Courts ha* been suggested and would
probably beet meet the requirement.
^ 30. Transit duties are still levied, though in an indirect form, on
British goods between Bush ire and Shiraz. At present the muleteer has
to pay, and he, of course, provides for thig by putting the amount on
to his charge for carriage.
31, Want of a system of drawback. is considered disadvantageous at
Bush ire and other ports*