Page 198 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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The fore-going explains the total Customs net increase of Us. 23,728. But it
should bo noticed that the only item showing increased receipts is the collections
from Directly Transhipped cargo within the port, where the collections have
increased from Its. 09,382 to Its. 2,24,399 a jump of over 1.1 lakhs which is entirely
duo to the exceptional circumstances; namely the transhipment of largo quantities
of machinery and plant and stores to the port of Al-Akhbar in Arabia for the working
of the California Arabia Standard Oil Company Limited. Over all the other classes
of collections the fall in roceipts averages thirteen and a third per cent.
During the past year it has .become increasingly apparent that in 1355 to
Borne degree, and particularly in 1356, the local merchants had imported stocks
largely above thoir current requirements, although the pearl market was still
depressed, because of (1) the fear that an outbreak of war might alTect regular
deliveries, and (2) an expected increase in local trading due to local expenditure by
The Bahrain Petroleum Coy., Ltd. Neither of those anticipations was realised, and
consequently the bazaar becamo over-stockod.
Another factor accounting to some degree for the decrease in receipts,
particularly from steamers’ cargoes, is the gradual but steady decline in the whole­
sale prices of principal commodities, which ranges from ten to twenty per cent.
This may, in some part, be due to market fluctuations; but it is also thought locally
that another slump may be developing.
It is unlikely that the receipts from Direct Transhipments will ever again
approach the figure of 1357, because the Saudi-Arabian port of lias Tanura is being
rapidly developed by the California Arabia Standard Oil Company, to facilitate its
own working; and steamers with cargo for this Company will in future proceed
direct to Ras Tanura, although the channel is tortuous and dangerous. The first of
such steamers was the s.s. “ Ockenfels ” a Hansa Line ship direct from New York
which called there on 7th January, 1939, Consequently the port of Bahrain will
not collect the l'i% Direct Transhipment duty previously levied upon the cargoes of
such steamers.
The decrease in receipts from Native Craft cargoes may to some small extent
be acconned for by the cessation of the on-carrying trade between this port and the
State of Qatar. I understand that such trade has been diverted hence to D’bai.

The decrease in Import Yard receipts is consistent with the decrease in tho
collections from steamers’ cargoes.
The schedule of Impark Yard charges for Khanchia and Porterage was drawn
up many years by a committee of local merchants with more enthusiasm than
breadth of vision ; and numerous adjustments and definitions have been made from
time to time. Since Khanchia is a charge mainly for space occupied by a package,
and Porterage is an in-and-out charge for removing cargo, it seemed desirable to
simplify the numerous varying rates. Accordingly, on the 1st of Jamad al Awal,
(c/w 29th June 1938), all the old rates for package cargo were abolished, and a new
flat rate of one anna per cubic foot was levied. This procedure has considerably
simplified the cashiers’ work, and also enables all importers to understand the dues
levied upon their packages.
For some time past there has been levied a stampage of one rupee upon each
Bill of Entry, and a half-rupee upon each Shipping-Bill. This charge was considered
to be somewhat higher than is suitable and it was found to press rather heavily upon
the small importer. Consequently it has been decided for the year 1358 to levy a
stampage of eight annas upon each class of Bill, which will result in a drop in
Miscellaneous receipts.