Page 273 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

75
through the British authorities in Turkish Arabia. The result of our representa*
tions was tliat wc at last, obtained a refund of the excess duty paid on all
consignments in 1804-95, for which certificates could he procured, and wc were
able to hand over Rs. 6,012-9-0 to the British Indian traders at Bahrein, who
had established their claims to our satisfaction. Tho amount was divided rate-
ably among them, and tho sum given in each case was gladly accepted, a receipt
being obtained from each individual.
281. In August 1900, the Assistant Political Agent, Bahrein, reported that
Br,•«,» Taiertit* .< a deputation of local Hindu banias bad
Katif. Proposal to Appoint the Assistant Poiiti• represented to luiu, that from timo mime-
m,,ri.alJ raeml)ers, o£ ‘’Jcir community bad
Extcruai a., august l’joi, No.-ii9. carried on a trade with Katif, and that in
later years such obstacles had been thrown
in their way, that for three years they had abandoned visiting tho port.
Their grievance was that certain native merchants at Katif, who had scats in
the local Government Counoil, took advantage of their position and used their
influence with the customs authorities to delay passing the banias’ morchandiso
for export until after their own had left the port, so as to have the advantage
of being the first to arrive at the market of destination and thereby securing
the higher price.
282. There is a large export trade of boiled dates from Katif to Karachi,
amounting to about 150,000 bags annually,
External A, August 1931, No. 419.
besides a largo import of rice and other
goods from India via Bahrein. Katif is also the market for pearls procured by
the Kowoit pearling fleet.
The banias offered to pay the expenses, if a native agent was appointed by
Government at Katif to look after their interests. Mr. Gaskin finally suggested
that he should visit the Kaimakam of Katif to arrange matters.
283. In reporting the matter to the Government of India the Political Resi­
dent in tho Persian Gulf intimated that he
External A, January 1901, No. 419.
did not propose to take any official action
and that he had told Mr. Gaskin to lot the matter drop.
184. In 190lj the Consul at Basrah made representations to the Wali of
that place, and the latter undertook to
Secret E., October 1901, Noe. 340-311.
send such instructions (through the
Mutessarif of El Hassa) to the Kaimakam of Katif as would remove the
disabilities under which Bahrein banias trading at Katif laboured. Tho Consul
at the same time suggested that Mr. Gaskin should be made Vice-Consul for
Katif, as there was a doubt whether the Turks would agree to the appointment
of a native agent.
285. No action was taken by the Government of India, but it was noted in
this department that if it turned out that the Wali’s instructions to tlie Kaima­
kam of Katif had been without effect, the Basrah Consul's suggestion would
seem well worthy of consideration.
286. In July 1903, Colonel Koraball stated that he did not put much faith
External A., January 1901, Nos. 8-4. (Pro. No. in the professions of the MutOSSarif Of El
*•) Hasa, and doubted if-he had the power
to support the banias against the oppression of their Mahomodan rivals at Katif.
287. Lator in August, Mr. Gaskin submitted a report on tho question of
re-opening trade relation with Katif by
External A., January 1901, Not. 3-1
the Hindu traders of Bahrein, and furnish­
ed information regarding their former commercial operations and tho disabilities
under which they suffered there.
288. In submitting this to the Government of India, Colonel Kemball gave
it as his opinion that a fair case had been
External A., January 1004, Not. 3-4. (Fro. No. 4).
made out for requiring the establishment
of a Consular officer at Katif to look aftor the interests of the Hindu traders.