Page 51 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Disturbances and strikes, 1953-1954 37

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slightest doubt that the Island is much better
administered than it ever would be by any conceivable
sort of representative government of Bahrainis;
nevertheless, such talk is gathering volume and force
:
here and the fact that the Sunni A1 Khalifah and the
Shi‘i aborigines stand in a kind of Norman-Saxon
relation to each other provides a source of strong
Reeling that could be made to drive a political
movement aimed really at ousting the Ruling Family -
and ourselves - and setting up a '‘democracy1'.
h Reform of the law Courts is probably the
best antidote to this feeling, There will always

be rivalry between the sects, but it is important
to the A1 Khalifah, and ourselves, that they should
remove from themselves the odium of partiality that
now attaches to them in Shi'i eyes, The appointment
of a British Judicial Adviser, even though he may

not at first sit as a judge, will do much for the
reputation of the Bahrain Courts, When he has been
installed and has begun to make his influence felt
we shall be able to consider whether any farther steps
can usefully be urged on the Bahrain Government.
I have the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,

(B.A.B. Burrows)