Page 105 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

PART V—CHAPTER XXI.
83
CHAPTER XXL

New system of registration of native-owned vessels in the Gulfs of
Persia and Oman, 1883-84.

In 1881 Colonel Ross represented to the Government of India that the
vessels engaged in the pearl fishery and in
A Political K., Auguit 1883, Noi. 181.199 (and trade generally on the Persian Gulf litto-
countor mar »)• ral, wjien owne(j by British Indian subjects
or by the subjects of Native States in India, although entitled to British protec­
tion, were unable, owing to the difficulty of visiting regular ports of registry, to
obtain certificates under the Merchant Shipping Acts, and that their right to fly
the British flag was therefore open to challenge.
On the first consideration of this question, the Government of India were
disposed to think that it would be desir­
A Political E., August 1883, Nos. 181*199.
able to institute a port of registry in the
Persian Gulf, at which arrangements could be made for the registration of vessels
under the Merchant Shipping Acts, and that legislation might be necessary for
this purpose. But before recommending this course they consulted the Maritime
Governments in India and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, in their
Resolution No. 4369, of the 16th October 1882. The replies received led the
Government of India to doubt the necessity of recommending to Her Majesty’s
Government the course of legislation which they had at first contemplated.
Moreover, the reply of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf drew their atten­
tion to a form of certificate which the Consuls on the west coast of Africa, and
the Consul-General at Constantinople, had been authorised by the Board of
Trade to grant to vessels trading locally, the owners of which laboured under
disadvantages similar to those experienced in the Persian Gulf.
The Government of India were of opinion that the difficulty to which their
attention was drawn by Colonel Ross might be conveniently met by the
delegation to the Political Resident and Consul-General in the Persian Gulf, and
to the Political Agent and Consul at Maskat, of authority to grant certificates
somewhat similar to those authorised by the Board of Trade on the west coast
of Africa and at Constantinople. They believed that the authority for the grant
of such certificates could be given by them as an act of executive administration,
without any necessity for legislation ; but, before giving such authority, they
desired to be assured that the certificates would be duly recognised by the
Naval and Consular Officers of Her Majesty’s Government concerned (Despatch
to the Secretary of State, No. 93 Political, dated 3rd August 1883).
The Secretary of State being stated that there was no objection to the
issue of certificates as proposed, the
A Political E., June 1884, Nos. 125-138.
External A-, September 1884, Nos. 51-56. following notification was issued by the
Government of India

No. 2394.E., dated 33rd August 1884.
Notification bj the Government of India, Foreign Department.
The Governor-Genera! in Council has been pleased to approve of the following regu­
lations under which the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent at
Maskat are authorised to grant certificates on certain conditions to owners of unregistered
vessels belonging to the Indian subjects of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress or to the
subjects of Native Chiefs of India in subordinate alliance with the Government of India
trading within the limits of the Gulfs of Persia and Oman from the vicinity of Mohammerah
on the Karun to Gwadar on the Mekran Coast on the one side and from the vicinity of
Basrah on the Shat-ul-Arab to Ras Sajir or Sair on the Arabian Coast on the other. These
certificates will bn recognized as passes by Her Majesty’s Consular and Naval officers, and
by all British authorities to whom they may be exhibited.
A.—The certificate or pass is to be granted only to such vessels as, by reason of their
owners residing outside Indian territory or of their never visiting a port of registry, cannot
obtain a proper certificate of registration.