'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Historical and Political Materials, Maskat [Muscat] territory, 1872-1903' [‎116] (118/138)

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la Khabura, Howasinah paid neither import nor export tax ; British Indians?
paid 5 per cent, both ways. Banians of Mesnah and Burka had to pay in full;
but Yal Saad, dealing through Khadra and Wudam, where they allowed no In
dian trader to reside, paid nothing. At Sur, Beni Bu Ali of Awaikah paid
nothing while Jenebeh of Magraintain paid 1 per cent, export and 1^ per cent,
import tax, and British Indians 2^ per cent, export and 5 per cent, import tax
(5-12). Sultan imposed punitive date tax on Rostak and Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Maawal
tribes on 24th July and persisted though whole crop already bought up by
British Indians. On 30th September he was persuaded to remit, but
notified intention of re-imposing it in following year (8-12). Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
signified intention to Government of India of preventing British Customs
farmers from levying more than 5 per cent, import tax on any article from
foreign port and suggested Government of India should direct export taxes
(from interior or from one Oman p )rt to another) to be restricted to 5 per
cent, and not to be paid twice, unless for local consumption regarding which
no provision in treaty of 1891. "Weighment charges also to be prevented
(6-12). Maskat Customs leased to Damodar Dharmsi and others for year for
$ 170,000, or $ 2',000 more than preceding year. Of this $ 16,000 to be
kept in payment of claim against Sultan (7-12).
1899.
Government of India did not accept assumption that the customs farmer
was not a servant of Sultan. Rules defective, could be evaded and might
throw customs into hands of foreigners. If not already enforced should be
suspended (31-1). ^
1900.
Government of India suggested to Secretary of State that existing Karachi
to Jask cable should be diverted to Maskat, or 2nd cable from Karachi should
be laid via Maskat to Jask, and in either case one of existing cables between Jask
and Bushire should be looped into Bandar Abbas or land line extended there
from Jask. Government of India strongly urged necessity for cable to both
places and hoped His Majesty's Government would undertake part of cost (3-5).
Net revenue to Sultan after working customs direct for 1 year just under
$ 190,000. Highest figure previously derived from sale of customs
$ 170,000. Sultan disinclined to employ British official, partly after talk
about Russians taking over Bandar Abbas customs and French reports echoed
in Arabic papers that Maskat customs and with them State were about to come
under British domination, and partly from fear of abolition of personal and
tribal indulgences (5-12). Government of India considered that goods
consigned from abroad to agents at Maskat, with discretion to dispose of them
locally or to find another market in neighbourhood, must be held to have
reached their " destination " by delivery to agents at Maskat, This the strict
ly legal view Government of India thought however there should be no rule
requiring that goods for transhipment or re-exportation from Maskat should
be so declared in manifest of vessel or in bill of lading A document confirming the goods which a ship has received. . If agents followed
procedure laid down in 6 (1) of treaty real intent thereof would be secured.
Destination of goods, for practical purposes, was destination stated by agents.
If Sultan's contention admitted trade would decline (24-12).
-
1901.
•*
Sultan accepted Government of India's view and explained reason of his
original objection was absence of bonded warehouse and probable dishonesty
of merchants, who were consequently allowed to keep the goods free of duty on
their own premises pending re-exportation (6-2). Sultan agreed to examina
tion of coal at Rufsheh by geological export (16-8). Examination took
place on 22nd and 23rd May and Kraft reported quality satisfactory, but quantity
uncertain. Government of India directed thorough and sustained examination
and asked Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. whether, if coal sufficient, it should not be worked