Page 74 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883

02 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULP POUTICAL

PART III.

REPORT ON TRADE FOR 1879.
A SCANTY rainfall in tbc winter and spring of 1879 entailed partial
failure of crops in South Persia. In consequence of this check to the
export trade in wheat, &c., there was a considerable decrease in the
number of steam-ships sailing between the Persian Gulf and Europe.
As the season of 1SSO has proved still worse along the Persian Coast,
the harvest in Dashtistan and other districts having entirely failed, this
condition of affairs must continue at least until the summer of 1881;
and should next autumu and winter be equally unfavourable, famine must
ensue. Already much distress doubtless exists, but fortunately the
extreme scarcity is not universal in Persia, and many have removed to
the more favourable upland districts. It is likewise fortunate for South
Persia and adjacent lands that the Indian harvests were favourable, as
grain is now being imported from India. Nevertheless uuusually high
prices rule everywhere.
The cultivation of the poppy in Persia is yearly extending to fresh
districts, and now about Shiraz and in Behbehan it is occupying much of
the land. This industry is generally regarded as highly beneficial to
Persia, as increasing the revenue, affording employment to a large
number of labourers, and lessening the exportation of specie for the
purchase of foreign commodities.
Notwithstanding the misfortune of the bad harvest, the returns of
the Bushire Custom-house, so far as can be ascertained, compare not
unfavourably with former years, and it is said that the farmer of the
Custom-house, though paying an enhanced rate for lease, was by no
means a loser.
The Afghan war is said to have caused some increase of exports and
imports at Bunder Abbass, as some caravans went there instead of to
Kurrachee, but detailed returns have not been procurable.
The following memorandum, pointing out some measures which it is
deemed would place British trade in South Persia on a better footing,
has already been submitted, but is now added to this report for con­
venience of future reference.
The 20a May 1880. 1 (Sd.) E. C. Ross, Lieut.-Col.,
Bushire,
Resident, Persian Gulf.

MEMORANDUM.
The arrangements now existing for British trade in Persia rest
partly on the Commercial Treaties of
Commercial Treatjr.
other powers and to 6ome extent on
local usage.