Page 116 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

36 BUSIIMF,
That this is the direct result of the high duties imposed by the
customs tariff of 1003 there can be unfortunately no doubt, and
smuggling is evidently on the increase, for the export from Bahrain
to the Persian coast was only 030 cwts. in 1906-07. The loss of
revenue to the Persian Government must be far more detrimental
than would be a reduction of the rate of duty.
The customs duties in question arc 6 Jerans per 6} lbs. (\\d.
per lb.) on black or other teas (which comprises most Indian teas) ;
the duty on Batavian tea varies according to blend, the quantity
of black and wliite tips being estimated, and duty levied accord­
ingly. Teas imported in small packets or in cardboard boxes or
tins or other similar receptacles pay duty on the gross weight.
The present landing charge on tea at Bushirc is from ship to shore
CO krans (If. 3$.) per 100 chests. Chests of Calcutta tea generally
weigh 90, 93, 100 and 110 lbs. net. A principal Persian importer—
the trade is very largely in the hands of natives—has stated that
there is no business in Ceylon tea, except perhaps when prices
in Calcutta advance beyond 6 and 7 a. per lb. The usual
purchase rate of Calcutta tea is 4\ to 7 a., though the use of
the lower priced tea is confined chiefly to Bushirc district.
Wholesale prices for Calcutta fell during the year from 22 \
(8s. Sd.) to 21 and 20 krans (•$$. 2</. and 7s. 9d.); Lamsar Batavian
tea fell from 320 krans per case of 75 lbs. to 230 krans, while China
tea, owing, it is said, to small output from China and import into
Persia, commanded good prices, rising from 330 to 300 krans per
chest of 55 lbs.
Bice.—One result of the disturbances in the Kazerun district
was to prevent much Kazerun and Shiraz rice coming down country,
and the market for Indian rice was a little firmer even than in
1906-07, the imports being respectively:—1906-07, 13,S64 cwts.
and 1907-0$, 13,934 cwts.
This Indian rice is in Bus hire said to come from three sources :—
Price per Cat.
1. Karadii (called u Anberbou ’*)— Krans. s. d.
Better quality... — ........................ 37 14 4
Lower „ ... ... ... ... ... 30 119
2. Singapore (called in Persian “ Katchch **)... 37 14 4
3- Rangoon (called “ Shahri **) 27 10 7
Should the rains in the winter of 1908-09 be again insufficient to
produce good crops, the consumption of imported rice would
undoubtedly be increased- Care should be taken that consign­
ments from India should be equal to sample and free from
weevils; there have been cases of shippers sending up rice full of
weevils, and it tends to give the agent a bad name, besides giving
rise to troubles over complaints.
Spices.—Spices from another article of import from India which
continues to increase, but the import duty is 15 per cent, on most
spices and the result is that extensive smuggling greatly prejudices
the legitimate trade, and it has been left almost all in the hands of
Persians.