Page 498 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

20 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
Oil, Kerosene.—The dearness of food-staffs is probably the cause of the
falling off iu the import of this articlo. Shipments made direct from RuMia
are said to have been more profitable than those from India.
Porcelain and China-ware.—The money returns of these wares show a
further improvement of a few thousand rupees orer the figures of the previous
year, and it seems clear that importers, having been induced in 1890 to import
less of the cheap Indian and more of the more expensive and better European
article, have now realised the faot that better business can be done in the
latter. English and Continental makes are getting raoro into favour, and havo
pushed their way even as far as Tehran, competing there with Russian goods.
Imports from China have at the same time as those from India materially
decreased.
Provisions and Stores.—The value of the import of these articles has
been almost as great as in 1896, and li lakhs greater than in 1896. Enormous
quantities of rico havo been imported into
* Calcutta tod Sanaa.
Bushire from India,0 showing that the
cause of the abnormal import was the failure of the harvest in Persia.
Sugar, loaf.—The figures this year show a large increase of nearly three
lakhs of rupees in value over the previous year. The imports from France and
Germany, however, are reported not to have afforded much satisfaction or
profit.
Sugar, soft.—There has been a large falling-off in the. import this year,
probably due to the inability of the poor classes, the principal buyers, to
indulge largely in its use. The trade in Afauririus sugar was less satisfactory
than that in the German article which is imported vid London and Bombay.
Tea.—The import of this article was smaller in value than in 1896 by
R9,58,980. The reason is the same as that given in the case of sugar (soft).
Timber and Wood.—The demand continues to increase both for Indian
and Singapore sorts, and very good profits are csid to have been realised in these
articles.
Woollen Goods.—The figures for 18S7 show a further fall of R20,16O
beyond those for 1828, but notwithstanding this, the demand is reported to be
increasing, and considerable profits were made by importers. The reason for
the falling-off is the same as that given for 1S96.

Exports.
Horses.—-There was a considerable fall in this trade during 1896, due to
plague and famine in India. This year, on account of the recrudescence of the
plague, the market in Bombay was said to be so dull that only 10 horses were
exported during the year, and consequently a further fall of R4.2,870 is
recorded.
Arms and Ammunition.—The import of these into Bahrein, which used to
be effected through Bushire and the other Persian ports in the Gulf, was
carried on direct this year; hence the falling off of R59,904i in the exports.
Cotton.—A further large fall of R-l,80,729* compared with the figures of
1896, took place in the export of this commodity. This is attributable, partly
to the same cause as prevailed in 1896, namely, the poorness'of the cotton crop,
and partly to the bulk of the produce finding its way to Russia, where better
prices are now obtained than in India.
Dates.—The increase in the export of dates occurred principally at
Lingah.
Almonds.—There was a slight increase in the export of this commodity#
but prices realised were said not to be good, as the demand in India was
small.
Wheat.—There was an entire absence of export of this grain from Bushir^
and the increase of the export from Lingah and Bunder Abbas only means that
grain was sent from there to other Persian ports, where prices were actually
higher.