Page 110 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

98 Records oj Bahrain

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I 'do not know what tone of this placo is at present: if good, Aligarh
might do, otherwise I should think a Chiefs’ College which has majority
or at least considerable number of Mahommedan boys would bo best.
} (d) (i) Original proposal was result of lengthy discussions between
/V'jpTWM*
Political Agent and Shaikhs Hamad and Abdulla. It is not in­
tended however, that scheme should be hard and fast but that
it should be discussed with Shaikhs and leading people on
lines indicated. Political Agent reports that our recent action
in reference to agitation by nakhudas has had salutary
effect and that they now arc producing accounts before Quzi
for first time in living memory. It is now generally recog­
nized that reforms arc bound to come, and all that is neces­
sary is for Government to authorize Shaikh Ilamad to state
that they approve of reforms which when agreed upon and
sanctioned will have their support. Chief Qazi, who has
much experience, strongly supports scheme as outlined.
(it) Political Agent says that Shaikh Hamad is as actively engaged
in reforms as lie can be, and is taking more personal interest
than lie had anticipated, and certainly more than anybody who
knows A1 Khalifah family could cvcr cxpect.
(o) Political Agent and Bower anticipate that increase of Customs
would all'cct cost of living very little, and certainly not that
of poorest classes whose staple diet is dates grown on island.
Besides this Shaikh Hamad has agreed to remit Customs duty on
slaughter animals. Also, when light railway is laid on Customs pier
and yard, lauding charges will be reduced. Further, agreement for land­
ing terminates shortly and it is intended to take off the increase of 10 per
cent temporarily agreed to in 1921 on account of cost of labour cost of
which has now gone down. Result of these will reduce actual net rise of
duty and other charges from Rs. 1-4-0 per Rs. 100 to about.-/10/-. In
addition to this new customs sheds being built by state will protect goods
from damage by rain, formerly a cause of considerable loss to importers anu
consequent increase of prices.
G. Finally I beg to state that on reconsidering matter I have conic to
the conclusion that best means of dealing with levies, revenue and other
matters would be for Government to appoint an Indian Army probationer
for the Political Department, who has recently done his training, as Assist­
ant Political Agent. He could relieve Political Agent and Shaikh of lot of
minor judicial work sitting with a representative of Shaikh as a sort of
Small Cause Joint Court; lie could also keep an eye on levies and probably
be able to supervise revenue work, especially if he had some settlement train-
ing.
Will Government of India be pleased to telegraph if they approve of
my proposal re levies, and authorize Shaikh Hamad to announce their
approval of reform of diving arrangements, also whether they arc prepared
to appoint an Assistant Political Agent, and if so, whether they can do sc
at an early date. I would suggest that the Assistant Political Agent should
tiet his pay of grade from Government Rs. GOO, against which the pay ot
Indian Assistant Rs. 300-20-400 could be set off. Any allowances granted
to him as Commandant of Levies, and Revenue Supervisor would bo met trom
Bahrain State Revenues. If Government sanction this proposal it might ne
possible to dispense with the inspections of the Levy Corps by the Comman­
dant of the Muscat Levies suggested in paragraph o [b) above.

OCP Do'.lil—I# XX—388—:—30.