'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the Year 1938' [‎20r] (39/60)

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In March a strong agitation against the Shaikh broke out, which, however
he succeeded in suppressing without there being actual riots. His Majesty's
Government thereupon advised the Shaikh that he would be wise to associate
his people more with himself in the Government of his State, according to
Arab traditions bv the formation of a nominated advisory Council such as had
existed in the days of Shaikh Mubarak. The Shaikh disregarded this
advice and in August there was again an outburst of agitation to which
the Shaikh completely surrendered and an elected executive Council was form
ed by the people of Kuwait which drew up a Constitution for the State depriv
ing: the Shaikh of most of his powers. His Majesty's Government informed
the Shaikh and the Council that the relations of His Majesty s Government
with the State would be conducted with the Shaikh, and that by the virtue of
the latter's treaties with His Majesty's Government the conduct of the foreign
affairs of the State would continue to remain in the hands of His Majesty s
Government. The Council accepted this decision.
At the end of the year there was again some trouble over the newly formed
Council. On the 17th December the Ruler decided, in view of growing popu
lar opposition to the arbitrary use of its power, to dissolve the Council.
There was a tense day and a critical situation resulted since the Council had
apparently determined to remain in power at all costs. His Highness was
equally adamant for dissolution, but eventually agreed to have a new election
The Council gave way and fresh elections took place. 20 members instead ol
14 have now been elected, with Shaikh Abdulla as Salim as Subah, C.I.E.,
as President once again. The Council had not met before the close of the
year.
(d) Education. —During November the local authorities decided upon
free education in the four existing Government Boys' schools and in the one
Government Girls' school. The number of trained teachers, from Palestine,
was doubled and two Palestinian school-mistresses were brought in for the
Girls' school.
(e) Hospital. —The Government have, during the period under review,
consulted an architect with regard to the building of the Kuwait State Free
Hospital. A site has been selected and the cost is estimated to be about
£6,000. The work has, however, not been started.
(/) Imperial Aivways. —Owing to the inauguration of the All-Cp
air mail service by flying boats, operation of the aeroplanes of Imperial Air.
ways through Kuwait has been discontinued, but it is expected to recommence
in 1939.
{a) Commercial.—{i) Boats—A note on the number, tonnage etc. of
boats built during the year will be found in the Trade Report for 1937. Ihe
famous boat building industry continues to improve and the yards were kept
busy throughout the year.
(n) Pearls. —The price of pearls is as low as hitherto, with no sign of rise.
( m) Lamb skins.— Buying agents of various firms arrived during the year
to purchase black lamb skins, which have fallen in price 4his year ; the finest
quafity, equivalent to the Bokhari, being at one time only Rs. 4.
{h) Tribal trade with Kuwait.— During the year under report, all the Be
douins of Nejd in the vicinity of the frontier have received permission from
Ibn Saud to restock at Kuwait.
(i) Quarantine. —The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Medical Officer continued to be the Kuwait
Qurantine Officer. The quarantine buildings were kept in good condition
during the year.
(j) Loud-speaker radios are now permitted in coffee shops where the
Ruler had hitherto forbidden them.
V. CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.
Law and order have remained unchanged. Security in the hinterland
continued to be good during the year.
The lack of early rain in Central Arabia brought unusually large number
of Bedoums to Kuwait and North-East Nejd.
23 (S) EAD