Page 673 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Etemadieh Spuming ond Weaving Mill.—The general position of Hits
mill continued to improve. Debts were paid off, and dividends ranging from
4 per cent, to 12 per cent, were paid to shareholders in March, June and
October. After long delays a new electric plant arrived from Germany, but
its efficiency is diminished by the lack of one piston which was lost on the*,
way. Two of the English experts left on the expiry of their contracts, and
the two who remain continue in technical charge. The other employees have,
increased in number to about six hundred, and for part of the year the mill has
been producing its maximum output, about 40,000 metres of cloth a week. The
price averages Rials 4 a metre. Good markets arc found in Shiraz, Isfahan, and
even further away.

Finance.—The demand for credit required for customs and forwarding
charges has fallen by at least 30 per cent, from the 1939 figure of 1,000,000
or 1,500,000 rials a week. Local merchants, who for some years have had
little to do apart from clearing and forwarding, have suffered from the
decrease in the volume of trade passing through Bushire, and two more
have left the town. There has been little speculation in tea in Bushire,
and most of the stocks cleared through this port arc kept in Shiraz,
Isfahan and Yezd, as well as Tclrran. The large imports of sugar have all been
on Government account.

i Interest rates of the Imperial Bank of Iran and the National Bank were un­
changed, they are lower in Bushire than in many other places as the local merchants
• are not inclined to overtrade.
;
Agriculture.—The wheat and barley crops were satisfactory. Free export
of barley was allowed until August, when Government control was introduced,
stocks were bought up by the Economic Department, and bakers have since then
been forced to buy a quantity of barley with every purchase of wheat.

Exports of wheat and barley, have been made to other Iranian ports
throughout the year.

The dates exported were of a type known as ‘ Qasb \ which is not popular in
Bushirc, but is said to have a good market in India. They are produced chiefly
in Dashty.

Wages and Cost of Living.—Wages have increased since last year very little,
in spite of a general increase in the cost of living. This was most noticeable
towards the end of the year, and, coupled with a shortage of commodities such
as rice and ghee, caused some discontent.

The price of piece-goods rose early in the year by about 25 per cent, to 30
percent, for Japanese goods, and 15 percent, to 25 per cent, for English goods.
Tobacco and matches were also dearer than last year.

Transport— One of the five garages in Bushire closed down, the rest continu­
ed as before. Lorry rates have, on the whole, been slightly higher than last y car.

Miscellaneous.—The sugar and tea monopoly paid no dividends this year the
high prices have diminished sales, and the quantity of sugar released by the
Government was also said to bo smaller than before.

A tax rising to one rial per unit of electricity consumed was imposed on all
consumers from the month of April and is collected through the sunnlicrs of
current. 11

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