'File 8/8 II Annual Administration Report of The Bahrain Agency' [‎330r] (659/720)

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there is proTielor for tfc* Com pumy to t«ko op eon cessions. As 'V*
in the case of Ajsten, bowcTer, the Company el shed to extend the
option period. In this ease also no approach has been atarie to
h.n. pending the reeult of the Political resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. *8 correapondence
*lth the India Off lee.
4. cmmic xrzofr
< fh« conpenlee noe operating from Petroleum onceealone limited
Bahrain office find ccrsaoBloetlan* with the various Shslkhe e difficult
probie» In amr tlwe. Priority peesagea hy air or aea ere unobtainable end
it is difficult to estrone punctual fulfilment of conceesion obligations In
the case of the more denote sheikhdoms.
ttelntewme* c* leimeh and motor transport la earrled on with
difficulty *e It eoewui almost irctposelble to obtain export license* for
spare* etc. from India even when applications* axe supported by recom
mendations frcw the Political nuthorltlaa. ’ortumately, the varioue
liulera themaelvea experience similar trouble and are sympathetic when
delay* occur.
5. ciaitgiiCY pv.mim-
be position regerdtmg the mae of notea was stabilised In ‘rbarj.ah
and Lubai se a reeult of action by the ^lltioal authorities. As regards
^atiir and other remote or outlying sheikhdoms It wee recognised that the
j^ompany might h^vs to continue to rest its obligations la silver. An
arrangement was made by the Political rjepnrtmcnt by *»ieh the "OBjany’s
re^utrementa of allvor ^or I’Md will be made available from Indie. In
IMS the "baikh of atar definitely refused to accept notec in settle
ment of hie annual dues and the seme refusal is to be netlelpated in
1944 unless His Majesty*a Government intervenes. he-" operetlooo in
Cetar reopen it will be necessary for the Company to pay its employees
in silver unless the £heikh can be induced by the Government to change
hie attitude.
6. ffTAffr ?r‘C r 'T*H r :
(a) Cost of living
r> uriiig 1943 thr Com pany adhered to the scales of special war
allowHnce?s. issued by the Bahrein Petroleum Coiupany after discussions
with the Political gent and the other Bahrain employers. By the end
of the yenr* however, these allowances cane up for reconsideration,
and revised aoalee were introduced representing approximately 80* of
beele salary. This constituted in moat cases a aubetseti*! increase.
It is worthy of note that the previous principle that the sllowanco
was graded to confers to the various ciaooes o** the ccmmamity was
abandoned in favour of a percenter* of salary. Previously Indian
darks whether Junior or senior drew a flat rate. In addition to
the increased allowance, the minimum pay of an unskilled labourer
in the Bahrein ^etroleuw Company wus raised from 18 *mnas to Ho. 1/8/-
to tpke effect from the let January 1944.
tower)* the end of 1943 the looel Government found It necessary
to issue legislation controlling rentals of houses.
In spite of price control the cost of food has soared. Many
items ere both scarce and prohibitive in price. , ih» Bahrain and
'Arabian oil eo^ppnica import practically all tnelr food supplies
for British uari American staff end also issue flour «uri rice on
payment to Indian employees. Cable 4 Viraleso Ltd. have arranged
for their clerical staff and operators to purchase nay rations.
Airways provids food for their clerks and servants on payment.
The situation, therefore, se regards food %xTengtiabnts in Bahrain is