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Owing to his long and faithful services under three separate Rulers, the Shaikh
took a lenient view of his case and was content to let the man retire into obscurity.
Actually the Ex-Director left Kuwait for the Hejaz on 3rd March 1930 and after
spending nearly a year with Ilis Majesty King Bin Saud, eventually found himself
in Tehran where he was last heard of trying to enlist the sympathy and assistance
of Shaikh Sir Khazaal Khan the Ex-Shaikh of Mohammerah. At the time of writing
he is believed to be still there. After his departure further evidence was forthcom­
ing which proved that Abdul Latif was in the pay of Ilis Majesty King Bin Saud
and acted as one of his principal secret agents in Kuwait.
(w) The new Director of Customs one Yusuf bin Yacub, after a year and a
half’s trial has shown himself to be a “ live ” man, and though possibly rather early
to say so, has proved himself an efficient and keen worker. During the past year
he inaugurated several far reaching improvements, and generally tightened up
discipline.
In particular he has brought the port “Lighter” service upto-date, and
now-a-days sends out all Lighters in a formed body under the control of a single
person. It is satisfactory to note that Lighters are no longer to be seen fighting
to get near a steamer’s side before she had cast anchor, and generally Captains
of ships report a marked change in the general management of the port.
(m) From a “ Revenue ” point of view the year 1931 was again a disastrous
one for the principality. Not only has the trade of Kuwait suffered like the rest
of the world’s but she has once again been heavily hit by the failure of the 1931
Pearl trade, and the continued blockade of Nejd.
(iv) According to a statement made by the Shaikh to the Political Agent the
Customs receipts for 1931 fell for the first time below two lacs of rupees. This in
marked contrast to the 8 and 9 lacs of Revenue which 10 years ago was the figure
taken.
(u) The 4% Import Duty needless to say provides the chief source of Kuwait’s
revenue, though other revenues must be mentioned such as the tax on fishing
traps, the tax on the Pearl catch of each boat, the Export tax of 2% on goods
going out of the city by land, and the small export tax on hides and clarified butter
going out by sea.
(vi) The question of raising the Import dues to 5% was considered during
the year but the Shaikh decided against the idea as it was considered politic to
keep the tax on imports slightly lower than that existing at Bahrain, in order to
attract some of the trade going to that port.
(vii) In previous years a certain amount of contraband traffic has existed
with Iraq, which assisted the local Customs receipts in a measure. During 1931
this largely ceased, owing to the increased watchfulness of the Iraq preventive
service based on Zubair who instituted a system of car patrols on the Iraq side of
the border. As this contraband trade was mostly with Iraq Bedouin, whose wants
are very little, it is questionable whether the preventive service paid for itself.
(6) Municipality.—As was fully reported in last year’s Administration report,
1930 saw the introduction of a “ Municipality ” in Kuwait.
This desirable state of affairs was brought about by slow propaganda methods
on the part of the Political Agent and the Shaikh, and eventually it was the people
themselves who begged the Ruler to inroduce some sort of machinery whereby the
Town could become cleaner and healthier. As already mentioned in 1930, it was
useless for the Political Agent to try and attempt any sudden reforms of himself,
as experience has shown that among highly conservative communities such as
exist at Kuwait attempts to bring about sudden changes usually rebound and hit
the reformer, and are quickly seized upon by hostile elements, only too ready
always with their accusations of British interference, etc., etc.
The Political Agent therefore decided that by taking the matter quietly and
educating the leaders, reforms would come of themselves.
This policy has been amply justified by results, and today there is such a desire
for improvements abroad, that if anything the people require checking.
The Municipal improvements seen in Bahrain, have also made Kuwaitis some­
what envious, as have also those recently introduced in Basrah. And last but not
least the advent of the motor car has perhaps had the greatest effect of all on the
minds of the people, who now clamour for better roads and wide streets.