'File 35/86 I A 32 Muscat Commercial Treaty, 1891: revision of 1905' [‎128v] (260/480)

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Aeticle IX.
It sh all be left to the cboice of British subjects
Tvhether tbev shall pay the duties, according to the
percentage laid down io the Vith Article, either in
cash or in goods or produce, should, it be possible
to levy the tax in this way U). li the payment
of t he duties shall be in cash, (2) the value of the
merchaodise and goods on which taxes are levied
shall be calculated according to the local cash
prices ruling at the date of levy.
In the matter of merc hapdise imported from
foreign p orts, the value shall be reckoned according
to the price ruling in the Maskat bazar. And in
the m atter of the goods and natural products of the
c ountry their value shall be calculated according to
the local cash prices ruling m the/place where the
merchant may elect to pay the (foty (3).
Then, in the event of any dispute arising between
a British subject and the Cu/tom House authorit
ies regardiog the value of g6ods the matter shall
be placed before arbitrator^ appointed and the price
shall be as finally fixec^ by them. But should
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these two parties ^arbitrators meant) not agree,
then it shall be on the/two parties that they should
choose an umpire and/his decision shall be final (4)^
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Notes (1). A poor rendering of the neat draft-
mg of our draft treaty, but the only essential
alteratio n is a concession to the British subject.
(2) Verbal discrepancy of no importance.
(3) Superfluous, but unobjectionable, probably,
however, introduced as leading up to the very
objectionable alteration which follows immediately.
(j<) Open to grievous abuses. Merchants are
q uite enough under the thumb of the Customs '
Su perintendent as it is and such a provision as
this w ould lead to endless bickering and delay s.
The p rovision in the draft treaty is ordinary and fair.
Article X.
Then His Higness the Sultan of Maskafc^ accord
ing to this treaty, engages that he will make an
arran gement according to his power and abilit y
(1) so that the movement of goods in transit shall
not be hindered or delayed by irksome and unneces
sary vexations and restrictions, etc.; And likewise
His Highness promises that there shall be
afforded to goods faciliti es for transport as far as
possible (T) and His Highness the Sultan shall
have authority as to whom he shall appoint as
landing contractor (£) (3) (4f).
Notes (1). These provisions point to confessio n
of weakness and foreshadow an attempt to evade
the treaty. I think they should be opposed.
(2) . The new provision is probably a repl y to
our man y remonstrances as to the scanda lous con
duct of the present nominee of His H ighness,
Abdul Kad ir, who, besides being a notoriou s
drunkard, is at the head of an organised gang of
robbers and pilferers of cargo, who call themselve s
tall y clerks, boatmen and coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. . I think, how -
ever, the phrase might stand quahtied as follows
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