Page 307 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER X.
Infringements of British Commercial Rights in Persia.
(lxxxvi) Our Treaty Rights in the matter of customs duties.
597. A complaint was, in 1867, preferred by the Agents of the British
India Steam Navigation Company at
Volume IV, 870! 1867, page 119.
Dushire to the Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf of obstacles of an almost insuperable character in the way of enter­
ing into mercantile transactions owing to the vexatious hindrances of local
authorities, and the sometimes sudden embargoes placed upon certain articles
by the Persian Government in opposition to the terms of the existing commercial
treaties. This complaint referred particularly to a prohibition to land cargo at
Lingah in consequence of which the company proposed to abandon Lingah
as a port at which their vessels might touch.
598. It does not appear that the Persian authorities had at any previous time
raised any obstructions to trade at Lingah. The port was held in farm from the
Persian Government by an Arab Shaik. In the year 1856 a demand was
made by the Persian authorities for an increased rental from the Shaik of Lingah,
recoverable from duties to be levied from the traders of the place. Complaints
were then made by the banian and other British Indian traders at Lingah of an
attempt to fix upon them an increased percentage on their goods. The demand
was, however, resisted on the ground that the treaty between Persia and Great
Britain of 1841 did not allow more than 5 per cent, to be charged upon goods
imported into Persian ports by British subjects.
599. The treaty of 1841, however, ceased to operate on the breaking out of
the war between England and Persia in 1856, and none of its provisions were
revived by the treaty concluded at Paris on 4th March 1857. The Bombay
Government therefore asked the Secretary of State to State what was the position
of the British under the treaty of Paris.
600. On enquiry made at the Foreign Office, the India Office was told in
reply
"Lord Stanley directs me to state in reply for the information of Sir Stafford Northcote
that he understands by article IX of the Treaty of 1857 that any favour granted by either of
ihe two contracting parties to the Consuls, subjects or trade of a third Tower, shall be
granted also to the Consuls, subjects, or trade of the other contracting parties. But it is
not possible for Lord Stanley to say with certainty what are the engagements in existence
in such matters between Persia and third powers. There arc however several treaties of
commerce of recent date between Persia and foreign powers, which are published in
volumes 45 and 47 of the State Papers and may be presumed to be now in force."
601. The most-favoured-nation treaty rights in respect of trade were at this
* Aitchiion's Treaties, Volume x, Appendix No. time and for long afterwards secured in
6'PorsU* article io of the Treaty* of Turkomanchai,
1828, between Russia and Persia and the Separate Compact attached what treaty
especially its articles 3 and 5. Article 3 of the Separate Compact provides for a
5 percent, duty on imports and exports by Russian subjects at entrance or exit, but
no other customs duties elesewhere. Article 5 refers to the acquisition of ware­
houses, etc.
(lxxxvii) Drawbacks at Persian Ports, 1871.
602. The Persian Government allowed no drawbacks on goods landed at
Political A., February 1871. Nos.' 133-24. Persian ports, which are re-exported. For
•• 1. July *871. Nos. 173 76. instance in 1871 the firm of Messrs. Gray,
„ „ October 1871, Nos. 307-13. Paul and Co. reshipped from Bushire to
Bombay a quantity of iron, upon which 5 per cent, duty had already been paid ;
but no portion of the duty was returned to them. Ihe Turkish Government
allowed in similar cases a drawback of -gths of the duty paid.. The Persian
Government was approached on the subject by the British Minister, but the
only result was an evasive reply.
(lxxxviii) Proposed revision of the commercial treaty with Persia. Radhari, gate
dues and other illegal duties, 1871-1877,
603. In response to an agitation started by the British merchants at ‘Bushire
Political A., Dtcembcr 1871, Nos. 350*403. in 1871 the Government of India after
it 11 January 1873, Nos. 391-93. consulting the British Minister at Tehran
and 'the Resident in the Gulf submitted the following proposals for the revision