Page 470 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

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District Magistrate and Sessions Judge, and he exercises jurisdic­
tion over British subjects and the non-Muslim subjects of other
States whose Governments have agreed to the exercise of such
jurisdiction.
Customs Tariff.—-The administration of the Kuwait customs
is supervised by a local Arab, and the system works satisfactorily.’
An import duty of 4 per cent, ad valorem is imposed on all
imports. There is no export duty except on goods brought from
the Arab interior, such as ghee, hides and wool on which 4 per cent.
ad valorem is charged on export. For some years there has been
a dispute between the Sheikh of Kuwait and the King of Hejaz
and Najd as to the collection of import duty on goods passing from
Kuwait into Najd. This dispute has not yet been resolved, and
the King of Hejaz and Najd has placed an embargo on all goods
coming from Kuwait which is seriously affecting the trade of the
latter place.

Transport,—Transport to the interior is by camel and donkey.
There is a motor service between Kuwait and Zubair in 4Iraq.
There is also sea transport to ‘Iraq and Persia. Arrangements for
landing and taking on cargo are superior to those at any other pon
in the Gulf.

Industries.—The only true local produce of Kuwait is that
yielded by the harbour fisheries which are a valuable asset. The
greater part of the fish caught is consumed locally, but a small pro­
portion is dried and exported to ‘Iraq.
Gypsum mortar is manufactured in a large gypsiferous tract
on the outskirts of the town by burning rubbish in shallow excava­
tions.
A large number of Kuwait people own considerable property
in the shape of date gardens in ‘Iraq between Fao and Basrah on
the Shatt-ul Arab, the profits from which go to Kuwait, but it is
impossible to say what this invisible export amounts to.
Similarly many Kuwait pearls are taken to Bahrein and sold
there, the sale figures going to improve Bahrein totals, though thr
actual money is brought to Kuwait.
Climate and Population.—The climate in the summer is
intensely hot but dry. Kuwait is healthier than most other Gulf
ports. Tuberculosis and small-pox are the two most prevalent
diseases.
The capital has a population of about 60,000, of whom lbt
majority are Arabs. The Persian community has increased greatly
in recent years and now numbers about 10,000. The population
outside the town is composed almost exclusively of nomad Arabs,
and it is impossible to give an estimate of their numbers.