Page 113 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

Introduction of reforms, 1923 101

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(4) I havo mentioned Van Ess’s School at. Basrah, Shaikh Ilamad did
not appear to liko tho idea, ho emphasised that ho would like them to go to
a Muhammedon Institution and himself suggested Alighur or some similar
collogo. Ho would regard with the greatest suspicion any attempt on our
part to appoar to wish to advise him to send them to a Mission School and
«vcn if ho consontcd I think ill-wishers would make capital out of it, whereas
at present the idoa of his sending his sons to ho educated is regarded as very
oxcollont.
(G) Diving.—Tho proposal originally made was the outcome of several
discussions with Shaikhs Ilamad and Abdullah. It was not intended that it
should necossarily be adhered to, but that if Government agreed in principle
to somo scheme of reform for the diving to be drawn up we would investi­
gate on those lines. It is proposed to consult some of the leading pcoplo
before definitely formulating a scheme. At the time the bare outline of a
possible scheme was made it had not been considered advisable to consult
leading people as the agitation against reforms, led by Nakhudas was at
its hoight. Since the recent linn action however, a considerable change has
taken place and it is generally recognised that reforms arc necessary and
bound to come and already there is speculation and talk of how they can best
be done. All that is necessary is for Government to authorise Hamad to
say that they approve of reforms which when agreed upon and sanctioned
will havo our support. We will then consult local opinion and put up for
the consideration of Government what we consider to be the best scheme.
The Qadhi, who has much experience of the relations between divers and
Nakhudas, has already informed us that he strongly supports a scheme on
the lines already outlined. Nakhudas are at present being sent to him in
disputes about accounts and they arc producing their accounts which they
never would do before, lie is disallowing the iniquitous interest charged
and they arc accepting the situation which shows a great change in their
attitude. A typical case is a recent one in which the Nakluida claimed
Its. 1,050 and eventually only proved before the Qadhi Rs. 300 and accepted
the decision. T have recently for the first time* got hold of an account book.
I am having accounts translated as typical examples. In several eases
divers have worked for years receiving only about Rs. G for each actual
month of diving, all other advances being recorded as debts. Even if they
had not been recorded as dobts but had been finally paid to them without
recovery they would have received only about Rs 30 for each actual month
of diving, less than a cooly can earn here. Being theoretically in debt they
cannot escape the Nakhuda. The idea is gaining ground here that a scheme
might be devised whereby the diver gets a fixed share of the actual oysters
he recovers and takes his chance as to what he gets out of them. This is
the system which used to be in force in Ceylon. The idea is that he would
work willingly for his own sake and incidentally improve the Nakhudas
sharo. It is proposed to discuss the possibilities of this with Nakhudas.
It would remove all the difficulties connected with the Nakhudas selling the
pearls without tho knowledge of the divers and thus swindling them.
Reform Hamad's attitude.—Shaikh Hamad is as actively engaged in
the roforms as lie can be and is taking more personal interest than I had
anticipated and certainly as much as anybody who knows A1 Khalifa family
could over expect.
(G) Customs increase and cost of living.—It is believed that the pro­
posed increase of Customs would have very little effect on the cost of living.
It would certainly not materially afi'cct the poorer classes, whose staple diet
is dates which arc not imported. Shaikh Ilamad has already agreed to
remit customs on slaughter animals. This will not aficct Customs receipts
in cash as the duty has hitherto been rccoivcd in kind, and has been handed
over to the Shaikhs for their own use. This will bo a great benefit to the
community. It is proposed to introduce it as a set-off to the other increases
ino increase suggested is Rs. M-0 per cent. On the other hand it is csti -
mated that ns soon ns the railway is in situ wo enn afford to reduce the
short C<? S C0I's!d?>"ibly. Also tho agreement of tho landing company
shortly expires and it is proposed that the increase of 10 per cent in charges