Page 14 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

The increase in specie is the next most notable. It amounts to Rs. 2,77,067
over the returns of 1905-06. 'pie bulk Qf these remittances came in after the
month of December 1906 and they represent the balances above what the pearl
buyers' credit is worth in Bombay and for which, therefore, they cannot send
'* hawalas " or drafts to Koweit. Beyond pointing to a successful pearling season
for 1906, the figures have little significance.
To examine the various other items in order, as they appear on the returns.
The import of cereals from India has been insignificant during the last two
years. This is due to good harvests in Turkish Arabia and Persia.
Coffee shows a decrease. Sellers had large stocks on bind, but there has been
no decrease in consumption. American coffee shows a slight increase in volume.
'This berry is small and preferred in Nejd, where, it is said, they mistake it for the
Yamen berry.
Tea.—There has been a sensible increase in tea imported, as the returns show
1S,750 lbs. above last year. Tea-drinking is steadily on the increase among the
Arabs in these parts. It lias been suggested that tea is smuggled from Koweit
into Persia and probably this accounts for the increase to a certain extent.
Kero sine oil shows a marked reduction in quantity imported by British
India steamer. It was at first explained that sellers held large stocks, but later
information showed that country sailing boats brought a very large amount to
Koweit. As the British India Company's agencies in ti e Gulf are interesting
themselves in this trade, it is hoped that these positions will 1 ext )car be reversed.
It is to be noted that the British Indian I rm of Mauvari who used to import
Russian kcrosire oil in one steamer per year have apparently given up
this branch of their business.
A remark has already 1 ren iradc about rice in the opening paragraphs,
There has been a sensible r« duction in volume both by British India steame»s
and country sailing boats. The reason given is that Xcjd has enjoyed a bounti­
ful harvest and has taken less than usual.
Twist and yarns shew a steady increase vear by year as the pearlers are
gradually abandoning the old date fibre ropes. Other steamer imports call for no
particular remaiks.
Before leaving this particular portion of the report, it Is interesting to note
two matteis which point to growth in purchasing power and an intdlkcut interest
in modern inventions among the Arabs at this port.
Sheikh Mobarak has purchased at a cost of over a lakh of rupees a steam
vacht which came from London. It was at first worked by Indian engineers and
firemen, lut they have all been discharged at the termination of their contract
and a Christian from the Shatt-el-Arab has been imported to run the engines,
and the crew are all locally recruited.
The house of Khalid-uI-Khathair, cur leading business firm, has
imported an oil engine, which runs two separate machines, one for cleaning
paddy and the other a flour mill. There was a breakdown at first, but the
machine row works well and the firm seems satisfied with their venture.
Zeyd-ul-Khalid, the active member of the firm, is now attempting to form a
company for condensing sea water. It seems doubtful whether this would pay#
as 1 he cost of distribution would be great, apart from the actual working of the
scheme.
A more practical notion would seem to be to fit up a pair of old steamers
with large tanks and run a ferry service between Basra and Koweit. 1 here would
be some passenger service as well.
The want of water is a very serious one in Koweit, one gallon of sweet
water costing 10 pies ; but all such schemes have to face the sentimental objection
of depriving a large number of people of their means of livelihood, as the Arab
cannot grasp the notion that the labour thus set free would gradually find its way
into more u.-eful directions.