"جزء ٣. رقم ٧٣٣ لسنة ١٩٠٤. مسقط:- المعاهدات التجارية." [ظ‎‎٢‎٤‎٠] (٢٨٦/٦٦)

8
Article IX
It shall be left to the choice of British subjects
whether they shall pay the duties, according to the
percentage laid down iu the Vlth Article, either in
cash or in goods or produce, should it be possible
to levy the tax i n this way tl). If the payment
of the duties shall be in cash, (2) the value of the
merchandise 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 merchandise imported from
foreign ports, the value shall be reckon ed according
to the price ruling in the Maskat baz ar. And in
the matter of the goods and natural products of the
country thpjr value shall be calculated accor ding to
the local cash prices ruling in the place wh ere the
merchant may elect to pay the duty (3).
Then, in the event of any dispute arising between
a British subject and the Custom House authorit
ies regarding the value of goods the matter shall
be placed before ar bitrators appointea and the price
shall be as finally fixed by them. But should
these two p arties (arbitrators meant) not asree.
then it shall be on the two parties that the y should
choose an umpire and his decision shall be final (4)\
Notes (1). A poor rendering of the neat draft
ing of our draft treaty, but the only essent ial
alteration is a concession to the Britis h subjeot.
(2 ) Verbal discrepancy of no importa nce.
(3) Superfluous, but unobjectionable, nrobablr.
however, introduced as leading up to the very
objectionable alteration which follows immediately,
(4>) Open to grievous abuses. Merchant s are
quite enough under the thumb of the Customs * 2 3 * * * 7
^pgriutendeiUas it is and such a pr ovision as
this would lead to endless bickering and dela ys.
The provision in the draft treaty is ordinary and fair!
Article X.
Then His Higness the Sultan of Mashat, accord
ing to this treaty, engages that he will make an
arrangement according to his power and ability
(1) so that the movement of goodsTin 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 facili ti es for transport as far as
possible (1) and His Highness the Sultan sha ll
have authority as to whom he shall appoi nt as
landing contractor (2) (3) (•4.).
Notes (I). These provisions point to confession
of weakn s^ d forediadow^n attempt t o evado
ti.e treaty. I think they should be o pposed!
(2). The new p-ovision is probably a r eply to
our many remonstrances as to tiie scand alous non"
duct of the ptvsent nominee of His H ighness
Abdul Kadir, who, besid es being a notnrimi^
drunkard, is at the head of an organised gang of
robbers and pilferers of cargo, wbo call themseUe s
tally clerks, boatmen and coolies. I th ink, how
ever. the phrase might stand qualified as follows