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some arrangement might ho made for the employment of a British official by
the Sultan to superintend tho customs, which might give the snmo security
for good administration without being open to objection on tho part of French.
An advance of money to the Sultan on tho security of tho customs might form
part of such an arrangement. But the officer superintending tho customs
administration should ostensibly at least bo tho Sultan's officer while so em­
ployed (Foreign Office to India Office, dated 7th February 1898). Even this
modified proposal was uot acceptable to tho Sultan.
(lz) Excossivo Export and Import duties levied on British Indian subjects.
813. Under article 7 of tho Treaty of 1891, “No export duties are to he
levied on goods exported from those (Mas-
External A., May 1809, No*. 1-12.
hat) territories except with the consent of
the Government of Ilcr Britannic Majesty.” As a matter of fact, however, 5
per cent, ad valorem duty was levied from British Indian subjects, who exported
dry and wet dates from tho Oman coast. This practice lias been a long standing
one. Tho question of the legality of this tax was raised in 1885, but it was
apprehended that tho language of the Treaty of 1839, which was in force
then, was ambiguous, and the Government of India decided that though these
internal duties levied upon tho country produce which is being brought to the
coast for exportation were practically export duties, “ it was not necessary to
make any stipulations in regard to them, provided that British subjects were,
not treated uorse in this respect than Muskat subjects or than tho subjects of
the most-favoured nation
314. In 1898, from Major Fagan's report it appeared that not only the full
Major Fagan to Colonel Meade. duty of 5 percent, on d itos exported was
No. 28b, dated X7tU July 1S9S.
N<> 440, dated 6th December 1S98. lovied solely from British subjects, while
External A., May 18!<9. Nos. 1 12. some Arab tribes were wholly and others
were partly free from this duty, but that an additional punitive tax of 6 per cent
was levied on dates grown by tho tribes residing at certain places (Rostak
and "Wadi Mawal), which duty as a mattor of fact fell on the Indian traders,
who had already bought the dates.
314-A. The view taken by Lord Curzon was—
(1) that tho 5 per cent, ad valorem duty might be permitted though
illegal, but
(2) that boyond that wo should not humour an illegality, and
(3) that tho British subjects should not bo forced to pay even the 5 per
cent, duty where the natives are spared the exaction.
316. In his despatch (No. 7, datod 19th November 1898) to the address of
the Secretary of State, Foreign Affairs,
Seeret E., March 1899, Noa. 49-59.
Major Fagan reported that besides dates
heavy export duties were levied on tobacco (20 per cent.), dried fish and
other articles—tho products of Oman (6 to 7 per cent.), that besides duties were
levied when articles were convoyed from one part to another on the Oman coast.
The import duties levied were also frequently in excess of those allowed. The
blame for this rested partly on the Bauia farmers of the customs and partly on
the 8ultan, who depended upon them for advances of loans on the security of
the oustoms, and allowed the Banias a free hand.
310. In order to cheek these abuses, Major Fagan thought that the best
course would be for himself to exercise a control of the customs farmod as they
were by British suhjeots«and enforce a due observance by them of articles 6, 7 and
10 of the Treaty of 1891 (19th March), by issuing regulations under Article I of
the Masfcat Order in Council of 1867. These regulations published on 21st
November 1898 provide—
(1) that the farmers of the customs, being British subjects, should
furnish the British Consul with a copy of the terms of the
farming contract;