Page 198 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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It will be noticed that tlicro_wns an increase in the ease of Kerman carnets
compared with the previous year, ol' nearly throe million Rials, due, as mentioned
elsewhere, to an increased demand from New York in the early summer and to
the fact that the goods exported were on a whole of a higher quality than
and, therefore, more expensive.
*>70 000° 11111011111 01 exPortc<*» on tlio other hand, shows a decrease of Rials

The total amount of exports in Kerman and tribal goods during the year
therefore, improved by just over million Rials, which considering the depress­
ed condition of trade in general and the fall in the dollar is more than could be
expected.
At the end of the year, however, the market continued to be quiet and
the outlook for the carpet industry, which is at present greatly bound up*with
the financial situation in New York, the chief buying centre, and’ on the improve­
ment of which the prosperity of this province depends, was very uncertain.
As regards the technical side of the industry, marked improvements have
been effected in the actual weaving, chiefly as the result of a better quality of
woollen yarn produced by carding machines during the last two or three years
but the standard of design and colour combination has on the whole deteriorat­
ed in recent years.
pinning Mill Project.—The idea of importing spinning mill for Kerman for
the local manufacture of cotton yarn, introduced by Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. C,
Noel in 1930 and followed up by the local authorities in 1931, fell through in the
early part of the year, due to the inability of the Kerman share-holders to raise
the full amount of the capital required and as the result of representations mado
to Tehan, orders were received for the re-inbursement to the share-holders of
the first instalment paid by them into the Persian National Bank more than a
year before.
Eventually, however, ITis Excellency Kazimi, the then Governor-General
induced such share-holders as belonged to the Kerman town to agree to the
utilisation of the money already paid in for the formation of a company, with
the object, among other things, of importing a wool carding machine for the
improvement ol' the cloth weaving industry in Kerman. The Rafsinjan share­
holders, who were only interested in the cotton industry, refused to join in the
new project and withdrew their shares, which they said they required for start­
ing a company of their own.
The funds available in Kerman, therefore, amounted to between Rials,
50,000 and 60,000, which was to be raised by further subscription to Tomans
100,000.
The new company was eventually formed in June, but no further subscrip­
tions were forthcoming. On the contrary, several share-holders disposed of
their shares in the local market at a substantial discount.
A contract for the purchase of a wool carding machine was, however, con­
cluded in Tehran early in October with certain German firms, who undertook to
•have the machinery delivered at Bandar Abbas within a period of three months,
at a total cost of Rials. 180,000 and a Russian Engineer in the employment of
the German firms concerned paid a visit to Kerman in November to superviso
the building operations on the site purchased for the erection of the plant.
The work of building this factory on a somewhat elaborate scale is progressing
at the time of writing.
It is doubtful what advantages will be gained bv the importation of Ibis
plant, especially in view of the fact that there are alroadv two wool carding
plants in Kerman, one, a British made 20 h.p. machine, belonging to Alessrs.
The Oriental Carpet Manufacturers, Ltd., a British concern, and the other, a
10 h.p. machine, imported from Germany in 1932 bv one of the principal carpet
woavera in Kerman. The new machine will be a 30 h.p. one.
It may bo of interest to mention here that the Shah has apparently still the
question of a cotton spinning mill in Kerman in mind, as II. I. M. m Yvjp
view with the present Governor-General, while the latter was taking ms leav
at the end of August last, made special reference to the question of cotton vain,
for which there was a great demand in this province, and regretted the tact mai,
in spite of Kerman being one of the chief cotton growing centres in 1 cr..ia,
cotton yam was still being imported into the province from abroad.

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