Page 128 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Piecegood*. The local market is still full of Japanese piece goods, (bought on
long term contracts); but, as anticipated, the cost of same has increased, as the
following comparison will show :—
Comparison of Values per Piece.

Year 1355 Year 1356

Rs. Rs.
China Silk, Hand Brand 8 0 0 10 0 0
„ „ Deer Brand 9 0 0 11 0 0
Indian Cotton Mull 4 4 0 4 8 0
„ Marduf 5 0 0 5 0 0
Japan Taffeta 4 0 0 4 0 0
„ Prints 5 0 0 5 8 0
„ Artificial Plain Voiles 5 0 0 5 0 0
„ Printed Voiles 6 8 0 6 8 0
„ Printed Satins 5 0 0 5 0 0
„ Plain Satins 5 0 0 5 0 0
„ Cotton Longcloth 7 0 0 7 0 0
„ Cotton Mulls 3 0 0 3 0 0
This increase is despite a certain saving in transhipment costs by Japanese
steamers sailing to the Persian Gulf direct from Kobe.
Pearling Licenses. In view of the depression in the pearl market and the
increasing difficulty in collecting the license dues, it was decided, after the end of
the season of 1355, to halve the amounts of the pearling licenses for the season
1356. This was done by Government Proclamation No. 42/1355; and the period
for payment was also extended.
Consequently it was to be expected that the collections from this source would
be at least one-half of those in 1355. This fact explains, to a great extent, the drop
from Rs. 34,500 to Rs. 16,313, a loss of Rs. 18,187, that is 53% of the Budget
estimate.
It is, however, a fact that the number of craft licenses for pearling in 1357
was 271 as compared with 264 in 1356 an increase of 7 craft.
The value of the catch and its quantity was nearly 50% greater than in 1355,
and the crews’ earnings were also greater. But immediately after the pearling
season had closed the sale prices slumped and hence the tajirs have been left either
with heavy losses on realisation, or with their stocks unsold.

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