Page 194 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

21 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
imports under certain heads show a marked increase in volume when compared
with those of 1892.
One of the chief difficulties with which trade has to contend in Southern
Persia, and indeed throughout the country, is the unsatisfactory stato of the
routes, for it would bo impossible to call thorn roads. There can ho no doubt
of tho vast gain which, in the interests of the development of trade generally,
and the consequent diffussion of prosperity througiiout the country, would result
from an improvement of tho means of communication ; hut tho responsibility
in this connection is one which, in practice certainly, if not in theory, appeaiB
to he entirely ignored, and such efforts as havo heen made to remedy the evil,
have heen due to the enterprise of European Companies. “An instanoe of this
is to be found in tho Road Company which has laid down a carriage road be­
tween Tehran and Room, and placed a service of vehicles upon it. The scheme
contemplated an extension to Ispahan and Shuster, but without more encourage­
ment, and better prospects for tho security of the profits in the undertaking
than the present condition of things affords, the extension seems doubtfaL
An important event of the year was the -withdrawal from Persia of the
Agencies of the Ottoman Bank, and hanking operations in this country are now
practically a monopoly in the hands of the Imperial Bank of Persia.
It woald be vain to deny that the commercial outlook: generally is at
present far from encouraging. The decline in the value of silver, which
appears still unarrested in purtailing the purchasing power of the country,
must injuriously affect the import trade, and the result is perhaps aggravated;
certainly an evil is added to it by the encouragement on the part of certain
of the priesthood of a belief among the people that the inevitable rise in prices
is due only to an arbitrary enhancement imposed by British traders,
IMPORTS.
Indigo.—Trade in this article continues to increase. Consequent on the
rebellion of the Baharloo tribes in 1892, the trade routes between Bunder
Abbas, Yezd, and Kerman were regarded as unsafe during the greater part of
1893, and a considerable portion of the indigo ordinarily imported through
Bunder Abbas was diverted from its usual channel and sent through Bushire.
Glass and China^icare.—Trade in these wares was dull.
Arms and Ammunition.—Notwithstanding tho prohibition against the im­
portation of arms, which still remains in force, considerable quantities were,
it is stated, imported during the year into Bushire, whence they were de­
spatched to Persian Arabistan, where a good market is found, or re-shipped with
the Arab coast of tbe Persian Gulf as their destination.
Gold lace and gold thread.—There was little demand for this article, and
only a small quantity was imported;
Colton goods.—The year opened auspiciously in this branch of trade, and
for some months there was a strong demand for cotton goods, fair prices being
realised. As the year advanced, however, the gradual hut persistent fall in the
exchange value of the Kran began to make itself felt, and adversely affected
the market. The appearance of cholera, the destruction by locusts of the
crops in many of the grain-growing districts, and the widespread distress that
ensued, caused a still further depression of trade. These adverse conditions
produced the most disastrous effects in this branch of trade, and the imports for
1893 show a decrease in value of no less than £90,000 on those of the previous
year.
Candles.—Candles have been imported in large quantities during the
and good prices have been realised.