Page 338 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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stepping stone to a further demand that the letter mail should also be examined
by tne Customs authorities on the plea that some letters might contain articles
which are liable to duty and considered that there were reasons for resisting the
proposal (Foreign Department letter No. ii82-E,A., dated the 20th March
«9<>5)-
(cxil) Use of Indian stamps for local letters for foreign countries at ports in
Persia where there are Indian Post Offices.
751. The Indian Post Offices in Persian ports accept no local letters for other
Persian ports and receive up-country mails
Secret E., November 1905, Nos. 13*38 (No. 23).
for foreign countries in sealed bags from
the Persian Post Office, and local letters for foreign countries franked with
Indian stamp. There appears to have been a tacit understanding that the Persian
Post Offices at Gulf ports should not accept local letters for foreign countries. This
appears to be only fair, as the letters are carried entirely at the cost of the Indian
Post Office.
752. The Director-General of Posts of Arabistan, however, informed the
British Consul at Mohamrnerah in March 1905 that according to instructions
received from the Ministry of Customs and Posts, he could no longer permit
letters from the inhabitants of Mohamrnerah for foreign countries be franked by
Indian stamps. He desired that such letters should be franked by Persian
stamps and be sent by the Persian Post Office in a closed bag to the Anglo*
Indian Post Office.
753. The British Consul refused to comply with the request pending instruc­
tions from the authorities in India (Mr. McDouall to Sir A. Hardinge, No. 10,
dated the 18th March 1905).

G.G. Prats, Simla,—No, S640 P. D*—21-3-06.—30.