Page 18 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

n
fide French proldg<5 before 1803.° This decision
will, it is believed, reduce the number of French
flagbolders to ten or twelvo at tho utmost. More­
over, the licences in question cannot be trans­
mitted or transferred to any other dhow, even if
belonging to the same owner. Thus, it would
appear that if one of tho licensed dhows woro
to be lost or disabled, the owner, in order to obtain
a new licence, must prove that he comes under
the category of thoso who were bond fide .French
prot6g6s before 18G3. Such prot6g6s must now
be scarce, and the number of French flagbolders
should, in (ho course of a few years, be reduced
to vanishing point.

Muscat Customs.
Tho administration of tho Muscat Customs is Administration
uuder tho direct management of the local J»enSinif"*
Government. In the last few years the Sultau K«*«leney
has shown a ready inclination to profit by Puliiimi Agency
"Western ideas, and thcro is every reason to hope for lima-isoi.
that enlightened progress will ultimately be made
in tho matter of the Customs. At present the
system by which sudden calls on the State
Exchequer arc met by drafts upon tho Customs
Superintendent is liable to place that official in
frequent difficulties, and to prevent him from
doing full justice to bis charge.
Tho Sur Customs should he an important Uatcr faun
factor in the Sultan’s revenue, but the French
flag question made it impossible for some time Kwidunt in IVrsiau
for the Itulcr of Muscat to bring the administrn- daio«V^° •
tion of Sur to that state of reasonable efficiency 11,
which its importance as a trade emporium
demands.
The Gwadur Customs, too, arc a source of
annoyance to the Sultan. Ever since the late
Khoja contractor was ousted from the Customs
farm, and the collection of customs dues resumed
by the Sultan, constant dissensions have occurred
between the mercantile community and Customs
officials regarding the tarifT.t
For many years the Indian Government have India Office.
February 11. I'.'Oo.
• The year 16G3 was token os the date at which, in virtue
of legislation by tho Ottoman Porto, and of tho Franco-
Moroccau Treaty of tliut year, tho creation of new protugls
waft regulated and limited.
f The Sultan visited Gwadur in per sou in February 15)0-1
for the puqwse of bringing about a settlement, in which he
ap|>oars to have lx>cn unsuccessful. For a description of tho
tariff, see Administration Report for 11103—i.