Page 119 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Red Oocide of Iron,.
Tier muz Island.-.—4,200 tong of ore wag shipped by British vessels during the
year to the. following places :—
Tons.
United Kingdom 2,000
Germany. !• *1 2,000
India !• >1 200
Trade and Commerce.
Bandar Abbas.—The trade of Bandar Abbas during the year under review
was, as in the past years, very limited and'thc merchants here, who in the majority
of cases, are clearing and forwarding agents of the business houses at Yezd'and
Kerman, remained idle due to the following facts.:—
(1) The Trade Monopoly Law restricting tho import of- many useful com­
modities was in force.
(2) The monopoly of sugar and matches was reserved to themselves by the
Persian Government, the Russians being the sole suppliers.
’
(3) The activities of the Russians who are now trading under the name
of. 44 Venishtorg ”, and have opened their office here on a larger
scale. They still specialise in the system of barter.
The new entry in the market was of the Japanese piece-goods against which
the Russians had to face serious competition, the quality of the Japanese piece-
goods being preferred by the local merchants.
The sugar which was solely supplied by the Russians, was very inferior in
quality and much disliked by the consumers.
The Russians remained, as before, unpopular in the market. They were not
even in good terms with the local Customs against whom they have complained
to the Central Administration. The Customs have also submitted their counter­
complaint against the Russians’ unfair dealings and cheating the Government
by supplying goods much inferior to that agreed upon. It is, however, evident
that the Russians have practically driven out the other countries from the local
market.
Of the two Hindu firms that existed last year one closed down in the first
part of the year. The remaining Hindu firm is also contemplating closing as soon
as outstanding amounts are realised.
Shipping and Navigation.
Bandar Abbas.—127 steam ships aggregating 260,956 tons entered and
cleared this port during the year, which were comprised of 112 British, 4 German
and 11 Russian vessels. Seven vessels brought merchandise from the United
Kingdom.
The four German steamers belonged to the Hansa Line of Bremen and
embarked their cargo at Hamburg or Antwerp. The eleven Russian vessels were
of Soviet Mercantile Fleet bringing goods from Odessa.
Lingah.—64 steamships with a total of 105,426 tons entered and cleared the
port. All except one, which was German, belonged to the British India Steam
Navigation Company.
Casualties.—The slow mail S. S. “ Baroda ” of the British India Steam
Navigation Company ran aground off Bandar Abbas at 9-30 p.m., on the 6th
January, when a strong Shamal was blowing. She was towed off the following
evening by His Majesty’s Ships “ Ormande ” and “ Hastings ” which were
summoned for the assistance.
Political.
The town remained quiet throughout the year with the exception of some
demonstration which was shown in December on receipt of the news of the cancel­
lation of the D’Arcy concession of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company when tho
bazar was decorated and illuminated.
The Birthday of His Imperial Majesty Reza Shah Pehlevi was celebrated on
the 4th Urdi Bohisht (27th February 1932).
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