Page 488 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Tho widespread taxation of articles of common use is particularly hard in
its incidence on the poorer people, a relatively high proportion of whose budget
must bo spent on such taxed articles. Municipal rates are from 6—7 per
cent.; there is a local tax of 3 per cent, ad valorem on merchandise brought into
the town.
During tho past year, though wages remain low, employment of labourers
has been good, the demand arising from work in progress on tho roads, military
barracks, and cotton mill. The following are representative daily wage-
rates :—
Customs coolie .... Rials 2—3
Labourer ..... „ 3J-4
Cotton oporativo ii 2J—5
Somi skilled buildor . ii G
Skilled buildor >» 12
Carpenter 12
Builders’ foreman or mechanic . II 20
The effect of these conditions is seen in 2 ways. There is and has been for
several years, a tendency for people, both of the merchant and poorer classes,
to migrate from Bushire. It is estimated that the population, once about
6 years ago, 20,000, has shrunk to about 8,000. The other effect is the pre­
valence and comparative success of smuggling: so long as prices are forced
up inside the country, trading restricted, and the preventive authorities impers
fectly organized or complacent, it is hard to foresee an end to this activity.
The contraband trade is mainly in piece-goods, or other articles, tea and sugar,
and originates for the most part in Bahrain and the Trucial Coast.

T. R. SHAW,
His Majesty's Vice-Consul.