Page 48 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

4 DUS HIKE.

to be no reason why a channel could not be dredged for cargo
steamers to come much closer inshore if not alongside the customs
wharf, but failing this the wharf itself might very weH be enlarged
and the present meagre accommodation for landed cargo increased
at a cost small in comparison with the bettor facilities offered.
Bushire shows signs of developing greater importance as the port
of entry for Southern Persia, and in view of the increased benefit
derived from its popularity a sura might profitably be spent by the
Persian Government in improving facilities. As it is the present
broken frontage (not under cover) of the customs quay proper
averages barely 15 feet, and is often encumbered with merchandise.
Towards the end of the period under review, from January to
March, the reopening of the caravan route from Bushire to Shiraz
via Shicf. 0 miles distant by sea, was a matter of considerable
importance to forwarding agents and merchants, for bitter experience
in the past had shown that goods and bales forwarded, by native
sailing craft were frequently damaged in transit or left exposed to
the weather on the shore or disappeared entirely. Shicf possesses
also the additional drawback of being waterless, and is therefore an
impossible stage for donkeys, by whom the transport of sugar in
bags is largely effected; muleteers nevertheless prefer it as being
shorter by a stage than the land route via AlunadL
Rival Khans disputed the farming of the caravan route over
the two roads and. the position becoming critical, transport was
practically suspended for a few days by force of anas. The deter­
mined front, however, of the leading British agents interested
brought about orders for the closing of the obnoxious route.
Botli directly and indirectly the political agitation and tribal
feuds that reigned in Persia throughout the year had a serious
effect on trade, which several times came to a standstill in Shiraz,
of wliicli market Busliire forms the forwarding base. Attacks on
the local governments of each large town and province invariably
mean the shutting of shops for a certain period and the holding-up
of the transport.
Total trade. The total trade for 1906-07 shows a veiy marked improvement
on that of 1905, this being especially noticeable in the exports.
Only once in the last decade has the value of exported produce
reached so high a figure as that of 1900, when China took opium to
the extent of 343,000/. and there was no prohibitive duty on the
export of grain. Imports in 1906-07 were declared at 803,842/. as
against 761,932/. in 1905, and exports were valued at 598,421k as
compared with 469,941/. in 1905, making a total increase on the
trade of the port of 230,390k
Despite this fact the year has been a hard one for merchants
in Bushire, chiefly through unwise speculation in opium, sugar and
gum. The fact that bills have to be met by a certain date is
openly ignored, and the prolonged appreciation of the kran led
native merchants to delay payments indefinitely in the belief that
there would be a still further fall in the sterling exchange and their
pockets would suffer less.