Page 426 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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CHAPTER III.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS THE PROVINCE OF

General situation.—The situation lias remained quiet and the Ccntr 1
Government has continued to extend its influence in the economic develop­
ment of the Province. Few visitors of importance have been seen in Shir
during the year 1936. The Minister of Finance left early in January2
promising to consider measures for the improvement of agriculture, trade
communications, irrigation and the system of collection of taxes, and a new
era of prosperity was to dawn in which air-mail, Government aid in all
trading ventures, and the exploitation of the mineral wealth of the Pro­
vince would play their part. So far nothing has materialised of all this
except for an order for two hundred carpets for use in Government offices
in Tehran which rumour has it have not been paid for.
The population of Fars is now said to exceed 400,000. Of these
200,000 are tribesmen, 80,000 settled in villages, and 120,000 in Shiraz
The population of the town has increased1 in the last few years as neople
arrive from outlying districts to seek for work. Much of the otherwise
idle population has been set to work on the building of barracks and mili­
tary installation on which 50,000,000 rials are said to have been spent.
In spite of the considerable wealth of numbers of the Shirazis, progress
has been slow in those things which are held in account today in Iran.
Tribal disturbances of former years have led to disfavour in the eyes of
Government and consequent lack of attention and support.
The visit of His Majesty the Shah to Shiraz, accompanied by the Vali-
ahd was awaited from the summer up to the end of the year without great
enthusiasm. The Army practised organised cheering in order that a
suitably spontaneous welcome might be given to him. The Municipal
authorities at one time showed feverish activity in the preparation of roads
and beautification of the approaches to the town, but it was given out that
no money was to be spent on decoration, doubtless to the great relief of
shopkeepers and others on the route.
As the Government enters more and more deeply into the everyday life
of the people, the protection afforded from the attentions of former Gover­
nors or tribal leaders is outweighed by the nuisance of restrictions. The
Shah is probably held responsible for this and is feared accordingly, while
respect due for his organising ability has been largely lost as it is felt that
all the wealth of the country is being attracted to the Capital. The policy
of industrial development is, however, realised to be of advantage to the
Province of Fars which now has a lucrative outlet for production of cotton
for the spinning mills of Isfahan and Shiraz and of beet for the sugar
‘factory situated 25 miles to the north of Shiraz, which is now producing
supplies for local use.
The Qawam-ul-mulk’s son married the Shah’s younger daughter during
the year. Though some of the Qawam’s supporters hope for some advan­
tage from the union, it is regarded as an indication of Imperial designs
on property in Fars.
The Principal Provincial officials at present have connections in the
highest quarters and little local sympathy. A new Governor-General ar­
rived early in the year, who is related to one of the Shah’s wives. His
cousin is in charge of the Finance Department. The Director of the Muni­
cipality is a brother of one of the highest officials in the Ministry
Foreign Affairs. The General Officer in command of the troops, who
wields the highest influence in the Province, has now hold the post »or
several years. None of these officials has any personal interest in Shiraz
or in the Province.

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