Page 78 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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to the divers’families in 1931. Much discontent and grumbling resulted among
divers and haulers. This reached such a pass that the all crews refused to go to
sea on the 15th May “ The Rekba ”, when boats should have put out of Kuwait.
The owners maintained that they could not afford to grant the divers the
customary advance, while the divers refused to move unless their families were
reasonably provided for.
Shaikh Abdullah al Jabir the President of the Municipality was deputed by
the Ruler to enquire into the men’s grievances and after consulting the leading
Pearl merchants issued the following orders with the consent of the Ruler, which
were intended to afford the desired relief—
(а) All diving crews who had done well on the banks the previous season*
should be granted “ Salaf ” and “ Tisgani ”, i.e., an advance and their
last year’s share of gain at the rate of Rs. 55 per diver and Rs. 45 per
hauler.
(б) Other diving crews who had not brought in any profits the previous year
would be granted only Rs. 40 and 30 respectively.
(c) Should anyone disobey the ruling or fail to accept it, he would receive
punishment.
The above settlement was received with much ill feeling and resentment, and
a crisis was only staved off by His Excellency the Shaikh ordering the ringleaders
of the movement to be flogged and cast into prison.
On 25th May some 130 boats were got away to the banks, and on the 30th
May approximately another 120 followed. Subsequently a further 100 boats
joined the first lot making a total of about 350, a big drop on the normal 500 craft
that are engaged in the trade.
The Pearling fleet returned on 22nd September “ Guffal ” when the Ruler,
himself accompanied by the Political Agent went to the banks, and gave the signal
for closing of the season.
The actual catch for the year was an average one only, and little “ sale ”
business followed the return of the fleet. There was practically no demand at all
as far as the best pearls were concerned, but faulty pearls and those of the seed
variety were got rid of in India for a slightly higher price than that prevailing in
1930. The depressed condition of the market naturally brought much hardship
in its train, and among the poorer section of the population distress and poverty
followed.
Among those Bedouin elements as opposed to Townsmen who were immediately
dependent on the prosperity of the Town, and who usually provide 30 per cent, of
the divers, the conditions were worse than the writer has ever known them before,
A few literally died of starvation, and with the general lowering of stamina all
round tuberculosis to which the tribal man is particularly susceptible, made great
inroads carrying off many. The Political Agent was able to do something towards
the alleviation of the general misery, and personally disbursed some Rs. 300 worth
of rice to persons in dire want. The Ruler also did what he could. Unfortuna­
tely the Shaikhly family could do little in the way of charity, as they were equally
hard hit with merchant by the failure of their pearl revenue, which is taken on
the sales of pearls. The Ruler himself was also worried by the added anxiety of
the blockade, and the future of his Date Gardens on the Shatt al Arab, both of which
problems indicated a policy in Kuwait of most careful economy of the resources
of the State, and a full measure of courageous meanness, if his people were uto be
safely seen through the winter that was to follow.
IX.—Condition of the Country.' (Law and Order).
This has once again been highly satisfactory, and the good progress in thip
respect made in 1930 has been fully maintained during 1931.
As reported a year ago the immediate reasons for this improved state of
affairs may be summarized as below :—
(a) The advent of the motor car into Kuwait, which onabled the most in:
accessible corners of thp State tp be regularly visited by the Shaik a
armed Ford cars.