Page 219 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

Demands for reform, 1935, 1938-1939 207
-3-

offeot that deputationu from the Shla Bahama (who were the

agitators on tho previous occasion referred to In my letter
under reference) have come to the shaikh presenting petitions
affirming their loyalty to Hie Highneoe and his government,
and otating emphatically that they do not want any form of

Council. *
(o) That - in onewer to a point I raised - anyone can
approach the Shaikh, or memberc of hiB family, or Belgrave
e-'iu •*- r?i
himself, with oomplainta for redrosa of griovanceo. ^ ^
(d) That there is already an unoffioi&l Counail in
exist enoe consisting of the Shaikh, his family and Belgrave.
Further two Municipalitlea already exist in Manamah and

Muharraq, with elected Counoilo which already give the people
a measure of self-government.
(e) That since the Bahrain administration la already good

and efficient what need io there for a Counail ?
(f) That though Councils have oome into being in the
neighbouring states of Kuwait and Dlbai, ooudltlono in those
States are quite different to those prevailing in Bahrain.

6. In regard to these arguments my replies are as follows,
(a) There is no question of bringing "pressure** to bear
on tho Bahrain Government to have an Advisory council. We

would merely advise the Shaikh to naainate one, in his own
interests, and that of his Family, as much as for any other
reason, and lnforn him that if he did not do so the responsi­

bility for the oonoequenoeo would be entirely his an£ not ours.
That it would be muoh better for him to grant a minor oonoes-
bion now (i.e. at the time vre gave the advice) in the shape of
/ an