Page 12 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

6 BUSH1KK.

PItet goodm. The import trade in piece-goods has in ciwscgncncc of exchange
operations (referred to above) been neglected considerably. Goods,
with smaU marginal profits though in coiwfamt demand, were
ignored, besides this, the great fail in codtsa prices was not
followed by a corresponding decrease in cloth pricey this was due to
the very heavy demands on the manufacturers from all parts of the
world, principally India and China, who therrfene were able to keep
up their prices and also obtain an unprecedented long time for
delivery, in some instances, it is reported, up toM months.
These two reasons, together with the merchaoBfisTdisputes (referred
to elsewhere), are the main causes of the decscane is these goods.
8 agar. Owing to the disturbed state of Russia aosuggihes reached the
north, and stocks running low, an unprecedented demand in the
south for sugar, both loaf and soft, was the an<I big shipments
have been arriving since October.
Unfortunately the sugar in question came forward during the
most unfavourable season of the year, when lassa and strong winds
are prevalent; this, together with the steaausSap agents’ anxiety
to despatch their steamers with the least pasalde delay, which
resulted in their perhaps not considering the naitacsts of the con­
signees of their cargo as they otherwise might have done, and the
unsatisfactory arrangements of the landing coudractor with regard
to protecting cargo between ship and shores has caused a very con­
siderable percentage of cases and bags to be badly damaged by sea
and rain water, and it is feared that the merchata&s who were anxious
to take advantage of the chance of cutting msfe® the trade of the
north with Russia, rather than being encouraged, are discouraged,
and will have to face a loss instead of a profit un&ssthey happen to
be insured against all risks.
Mauritius Up to the present the merchants in Bushize refuse to have any­
sugar. thing to do with Mauritius sugar, especially the frown, but I learn
that it has been largely imported lately into* Bonder Abbas and
Lingah, therefore it is only a matter of time be&neit will be accepted
here.
Export*. The total result of the year shows an increases exports of 14,960L
over 1904, but when the increase of 29,136L io export of specie is
taken away it will be seen that there is a decrease cf 14J76Z., but the
export of specie must not be taken this year assraply an export of
cash balancing the import trade (produce- m sufficient quantities
being unobtainable), as a large percentage of the brans exported
were treated as produce, see remarks on enfiuge. They were
bought and exported on exactly the same pmd^b as wheat, barley
or the output from silver mines might be, that is to say, silver was
obtainable in Persia which it was profitable to hoy and export
by selling drafts either on Europe, Bombay aw s&ewhere, or in ex­
change for goods, the loser over the tmnsaefim being the Persian
Government.
Opium. Opium shows a decrease of 74,9801. this yaw, winch is due to the
fact that the crop was practically a failure. '"•