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Wc must now see how these events affeeted the people of Bahrain. For an island, unable
to feed itself, the supply of food was obviously a problem and before the war had started, the
Government bought 25,000 bags of rice from Calcutta, banned all export of food and required
merchants to list their stocks. It was not until the spring of 1941 that there was any real
shortage and in May the PA reported that, supplies of flour having been exhausted, there was
no bread. The Government established a committee to work on agricultural development but
obviously quick results could not be expected. That winter there was a shortage of vegetable
ghee which had previously come from India in tins: to save metal the Government of India
banned the export of anything in tins.

The main problem; was seeing that the poor received their fair share at prices which they
could afford and this was the particular and constant concern of the new Ruler, HH Shaykh
Sulman b. Hamad who frequently told British officials that a Muslim ruler was dishonoured if
his people starved. Many reports testify to his anxiety, although, remarking that a traveller
often docs not feel thirsty until he knows that there is no water, in public he scorned alarmist
talk. In March 1942 the Manama Baladiyah opened eight centres for the distribution of sugar
at controlled prices; each adult received a ticket which entitled him to 4 lbs a month. In May
the food situation was reported to be satisfactory although once again there was no bread. Part
ofthe difficulty was that although there existed a quota system for imports, traders complained
that to gel supplies actually moving they had to bribe officials in India: this was impossible for
to keep prices down the merchants were restricted to making only 10% profit. Their case was
recognised in June and the permitted profit margin was raised to 20%. To compensate for the
inevitable increase in the price of food, the Government introduced a War Allowance for all
earning less than Rs 150 a month (the average wage Cor a cooly was a rupee a day).

Rationing was formally introduced, providing for each adult to receive 12 lbs of rice, 4 lbs
of wheat or flour and 4 lbs of sugar a month. Originally the rice ration was fixed at 22V2 lbs but
then it was realised that this would require twice the amount that Bahrain was entitled to
import. This was typical of the lack of competence of the Director of Customs who had been
appointed Food Controller so a Food Control Committee was created to assist him but later he
was dismissed and food rationing was administered by the Baladiyah.

A group of leading citizens set up a committee to assist the Sunni poor by purchasing
unclaimed rations and distributing them free and this was followed, after much ill-feeling, by
another committee to do the same for the Shi’i. The A1 Khalifah and BAPCO contributed to
both funds but after some weeks the Shaykh sent for the members of both committees and
persuaded them to amalgamate in the general interest.

Supplies fluctuated according to the availability of shipping and in September the PA
reported that there was enough rice to meet the ration for three weeks but only enough flour
for one. Dates were also short as Iraq banned their export but a timely gift of 15,000 bags from
Ibn Sa’ud helped the situation. Early in the New Year the sugar ration had to be cut to 2 lbs and
rice to 8 lbs although it was possible to raise the wheat allocation by 4 lbs. Attempts were made
to import sugar from Mozambique. However the situation improved for, as Iraq lifted the ban
on date exports, hoarders released their stocks and the Government arranged to import 2,000
tons. In the villages dates were distributed at police posts and later a government food shop
was opened at Suq al-Khamis, followed by two others, to cater for about 4,000 people. Even so
signs of under-nourishment were reported amongst the very old and the very young and
Belgrave noticed people begging for food in the Baladiyah Gardens.

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