Page 80 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

6
and of buildings suitable as store-houses obtained very high rents and in Manama
the value of house property and land increased to such an extent that there was
what might be described as a land boom. Unfortunately most of this prosperity
was temporary and not due to normal causes but owed its origin to war conditions.

The state of public security continued to be good, no serious crimes occurred
though there was an increase in thefts. At the end of the year trouble developed
among the labourers of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited and a number
of them went out on strike for some days demanding higher wages and various
concessions. They were granted an increase in pay which had been approved but
not brought into effect before the strike occurred. The ringleaders were locally
educated young men and the idea of going on strike was undoubtedly fostered
by the constant reports put out on the wireless about other strikes in various
parts of the world.
The revenue during 1362 was higher than in any previous year, Customs
receipts alone produced almost 14 lakhs and the total revenue collected was 47
lakhs. For the year 1363 I have anticipated that the revenue will be 40 lakhs
and that the expenditure will be 35 lakhs. It is hoped that at least 5 lakhs will
be added to the Reserve Fund but the sum available for adding to the Reserve
Fund will depend upon what funds must be kept available for purchases of food
supplies by the Government. The 1363 budget contains no allocation for import­
ant new works or for any expansion of the administration, it is a conservative war
time budget and provides only for continuing the work of the Government on its
present scale.

C. DALRYMPLE BELGRAVE, C.B.E.,
Adviser to the Government oj Bahrain.

J