Page 278 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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B. Native Craft. The collecfciona on cargoes imported by native craft
shew an increase over 1367 by Us. 12,718 In general the traffic is steady
and tends to inoreaso, as there is believed to be increasing activity in the movement
of cargoes, particularly from Iraq. I give a comparison of suoh visits to this port.

Year 1357. Year 1368.
Origin.
Rs. Rs.
Africa 15 4
India 73 39
Oman Coast 183 212
Iran Coast 317 366
Arabian Mainland 719 626
Kuwait 65 57
Iraq 119 123

Totals 1,491 1.427

The seasonal visits from Africa and India have decreased; and this is thought
to be accounted for by the general competitive lowering of freights by the B.I.S.N.
Coy. Visits from Oman and Iraq have increased, as this port is still favoured by
such craft as an entrepot for traffic with the mainland of Arabia. It is believed
that oraft from the mainland now proceed direct to Iraq for their grain; and it will
be remembered that only in Bahrain is there a Food Controller covering the exports
of food since the outbreak of war; and it is possible that certain mainland craft
avoid Bahrain on this account. Kuwait craft often purchase grain in Iraq, and
call at Basrah if unable to sell t.heir cargoes on the mainland. Traffic betwoen
Bahrain and Qatar is still suspended.
It may perhaps be anticipated that, on account of the Food Control system,
the tralfio with the mainland for some time will be reduced; but other ports in the
mainland are not subject to this control, and consequently their traffic will continue.
C. Parcels Post. The collections from this source have increased by
Rs. 7,145; and while the number of parcels does not appear to increase markedly,
the value of the imports is greater, mainly because of imports by the personnel of
l'he Bahrain Petroleum Coy. Ltd. This Parcels Post is of great service to the
community, and is regularly used by certain importers.
G. Import Yard. These receipts have increased by Rs. 19,152, and this is
consistent with the larger number of packages imported by steamers. It will be
remembered that in 1357 the old rates of Khanchia were abolished, and a new rate
of one anna per cubic foot was instituted. This has proved to be a great success in
simplifying work and enabling importers to estimate their costs. It might perhaps
have been thought that this new rate would result in a considerable increase in
collections, and therefore a reduction might be justified; but such doeB not appear
to be the case. The Government has not suffered loss, and the importers are gainers
by equality of treatment. Nor, for the same reason, does there appear to be any
necessity to reduce the 6tampage on Customs Bills.

2. Pearling Licenses.
In 1366, in view of the poor pearling seasons, the rate of collections from
Pearling Licenses was halved; but the amount of the Budget Estimate (Rs. 34,500)
was unchanged. This estimate was reduced in 1357 to Rs. 24,500, yet tho
collections of Rs. 13,353 showed a decrease of Rs. 11,147. If the estimate had been
halved down to Rs. 17,250, there would still be a decrease of Rs. 3,897, which
dearly indicates the present condition of the pearling industry.