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'File 9/2 Pearling' [‎81r] (161/312)

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The record is made up of 1 file (154 folios). It was created in 15 Feb 1934-10 Oct 1949. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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33890/47. Ext. 2892/47
Ext. 1862/47
Board of Trade,
Export Promotion Department,
35, Old Queen Street,
London, S.W.l*
13th December, 1947.
Dear Mr. Harrison,
I am writing to you concerning our previous correspondence on
possible laternative markets for Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. pearls now that restrictiore
in India do not permit their importation into that country. Our enquiries
addressed to the overseas officer in the countries mentioned in my
letter of 23rd September, have, up to the present elicited
C' - ® following responsess-
Persia . The Counsellor (Commercial) at Tehran reports that his Market
Investigation Officer, who has had 25 years experience in the country
informed that Persia is already a market for Gulf Pearls, although it
would be difficult to estimate the importance of the trade as practically
all of them are smuggled into the country. He points out that where the
Persian authorities cannot prevent sugar and tea being smuggled in by the
dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. -load, it is absolutely impossible for them to prevent small packages
of pearls being brought in, and in his opinion it is safe to say that
not 5$ of the pearls on the Persian market have ever paid duty.
C anada .The trade commissioner at Winnipeg reports that there is little
or no market for pearls in his area, such as are needed from time to time
for replacement purposes are bought from supplies in Montreal or Toronto.
The Trade Commissioner at Toronto states that there is only a small
local market for natural pearls, the majority of those used being of the
manufactured type. Messrs. Birks-Ellis-Byrie Ltd., of 138, Yonge Street
Toronto, who are the principal jewellers in Canada, already import a few
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. pearls through their London office, Henry Birks and Sons Ltd
19, Hatton Garden, E.C.l, but they hold out no hope that Canada would
afford an alternative market over and above the volume already being
taken. The only firm v/ho have expressed interest in this enquiry are
Jules Boas, 85, Richmond Street West, Troonto, who are well known import
ers of precious stones. They do not at present handle pearls.
The Trade Commissioner at Vancouver confirms this market information
_and states that Mr. Frank Jackson, wholesale jeweller, 144, West Hastings
Street, has expressed interest and would like to have further details.
The Trade Commissioner at Vontreal has made enquiries and states
that there should be a limited demand for pearls in his territoty and
suggests that persons wishing to export should communicate with the
London office of Messrs. Henry Birk and sons Ltd., at the address given
above.
It would appear that on the whole, a small scale market for pearls
exists in Canada, but I should point out that, since commencing these
.enquiries, the Canadian Government has placed an embargo on the import
ation of jewellery and that, consequently, no business is possible at
the present time.
Syria & Lebanon . The Commercial Secretary at Beirut has discussed the
question with the President of the local Jeweller f s Association who
stated that Syria was a better potential market than the Lebanon but
that the following Lebanese firms were known to be interest h in the
importation of pearls :-
R & T J&mous Foued Fattal,
Souk Raad-el-Hani Bouk Raad-el-Hani,
Beirut, Lebanon. Beirut, Lebanon,

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Content

The file contains correspondence exchanged between the 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. at Bahrain, 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the British Legation at Jedda, the 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. at Sharjah, the Adviser to the Bahrain Government, the Ruler of Dubai and the Ruler of Qatar, on the subject of introducing mechanical methods for diving for pearls, and culturing pearls in Bahrain.

There is correspondence with the Adviser to the Bahrain Government and the Ruler of Bahrain, against the introduction of mechanical methods of diving suggested by the British, because it would spoil the market and the environment.

Other subjects in the file are:

  • the export of oysters from Bahrain for research work and production of cultured pearls in Bahrain;
  • the concession for the pearl diving activities on the coasts of Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea;
  • the Government of India's ban on the import of pearl and precious stones into India from July 1947,(which was later lifted for three months) and its impact on the Gulf pearling trade.

Some documents within the file are in Arabic, with English translation.

Extent and format
1 file (154 folios)
Arrangement

The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There are file notes at the end, on folios 144-155. The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 156; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-143; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They are located in the same position as the main sequence, except for some instances which are located on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. .

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 9/2 Pearling' [‎81r] (161/312), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/343, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025648640.0x0000a2> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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