Page 222 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883

52 ADMINISTRATION RETORT Or THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

PART III.

REPORT ON TRADE OF 1880.

As regards Southern Persia, the year 1880 was an unfavorable one
in a commercial point of view.
Although the crops of 1879 had to a great extent failed, and con-
sumption of imported articles consequently decreased, large imports were
made resulting in a glut of the markets. This, under any circumstances,
would have affected the succeeding year's trade unfavorably, but the
evil was greatly enhanced by the occurrence of a second year of
drought, which still further restricted importation, as it was obvious
that the mass of the population would, owing to the scanty harvest,
have barely means to keep body and soul together, little or nothing to
spend on clothing and household requirements other than food. Several
circumstances, too, combined to raise the rates of carriage in 18S0—the
scarcity and dearness of fodder, purchase of a large number of mules
for the Government of India, employment of numbers by the Persian
Government in Kurdistan, great mortality amongst the animals, especially
donkeys, and so forth. This further impeded trade. Nevertheless, the
actual operations were on the whole greater than might have been
expected, and the customs receipts arc said to have exceeded the expecta­
tions of the collectors. This fact will probably turn out to be due to
two causes: overdoiug the trade generally, and. the spurious opera­
tions of reckless adventurers, who take advantage of the peculiar
facilities offered them, by the character of the people, aud “ laches," or
more, of the administration, to run a course of losing trading, over­
buying and under-selling, to the detriment of legitimate trade.. Some
wealthy merchants are said to have, by such means, been driven to
relinquish their business. Such unscrupulous dealing has its limit for
individuals, but if the system is not checked, commerce will become
critical.
It was very fortunate for Southern Persia that India had surplus g™11*
as it was the large imports from that country which averted famine, and
provided sufficient seed for the present year’s sowings. As it was,a
great deal of distress existed in many districts, and numbers emigrated
to Bus rah, &c., or moved up-country from the coast districts. •
Unusually good rainfall in the autumn and winter relieved Uj®
apprehensions of a disastrous famine. Full advantage of the favorable
season could not, however, be taken as the full amount of seed requisite
was not at band.
Tbe imports of sugar from Java and France increased, and tbe
quantity of subsidized French sugar now taken is so considerable M to