‘Report on the British Indian Commercial Mission to South-Eastern Persia during 1904-1905. By A H Gleadowe-Newcomen, F.R.G.S., F.S.A., President, representing the Upper India Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Tea Cess Committee.’ [‎40v] (85/178)

68 REPORT ON THE BRITISH INDIAN COMMERCIAL
however of £583 in value, the figures being £2,683 in 1903 and £2,100 in 1904.
Bander Abbas imported from India 82 cases, valued at Rs. 785 (£52). The
average quantity of candles imported from all countries by Bander Abbas, for
the five years ending December 1901, was 2,366 leases, while the imports for
1902, 1903, was 2,089 and 6,808 cases, respectively.
Indian-made candles have been fairly successful, and if the price could be
reduced a trifle ought to drive out Belgian and Dutch candles (which are more
than twice as dear) which hold such a prominent place in imports via the Gulf.
Candles for the southern market must be hard in quality, and of a'
high melting point; it is inadvisable to ship up the Gulf between May and
October. Twelve ounce candles, in packets of six, and cases of 30 packets, will
meet with the readiest sale. ^ _
In northern markets the Russian candle, an infamously bad article, with a
thick bulbous wick, has, owing to its being slightly cheaper, driven out the
Austrian article that used to be imported in great quantities vid‘ Trebizond,
and I can see no reason why the Indian article should not do the same to the
Belgian and Dutch in the south.
Cereals. - ' .
Flour .—Russian flour is imported into parts of Northern Persia. Indian
flour has been imported into Southern Persia during years of scarcity, but with
returning prosperity the imports of flour, and of all cereals and feculae have, of
course, fallen off. Bahrein and the Arab Coast, however, always import rice
and flour heavily.
Bice. —Enough is grown for home consumption in most places. The Gulf
littoral, however, takes a modest, and the Arab Coast and Bahrein take large
and regular supplies. There are prospects of trade ’with Persian Baluchistan.
Wheat. —There has been a great import of wheat in recent years, due to
continuous bad harvests in the Southern Persia. This has fallen off with the
return of good seasons.
Clothing (Wearing apparel).
Woven underclothing of cotton and wool,—socks, drawers, and vests,—as
well as shirts of flannel and cotton, find increasing favour amongst the well-to-
do in the large towns.
Bushire prices.
Flannelette shirts •
•
-
•
•
Krans.
. 8
Each,
Light vests, woven
•
• •
•
•
.
it
Drawers . • .
•
• •
•
• i
. . 3|
' »
Socks, grey woollen
A
•
•
.
. 3
a
There was no sale for these goods in Bander Abbas and quotations were
unobtainable.
Woven drawers of light texture cost 5J Krans, in Kerman, and woven
shirts, medium texture (German), 8 Krans.
In Kerman a native merchant has imported machines for the knitting of
socks, and a leading trader in Shiraz is also importing some German machines
for knitting socks, and weaving vests and drawers, which latter garments are
beginning to find favour amongst the short kirtled ladies in the anderoons.
The demand for boots and shoes of European cut and make increases, but
only goods at the very low r est prices, say, 2 to 3 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. (Rs. 5 to 7J) per pair,
at Kerman or Yezd, will sell readily.
If consignments of boots and shoes be sent to Persia, it would be well for
consignees or speculators to bear in mind that shoes with toe-caps are classi
fied as fancy leather work by the Customs, and taxed as a luxury, whilst
shoes without toe-caps come in on a low scale.
In the Bushire bazaar, white canvas shoes of very fair quality sell for
Krans 18 to 23, and brown leather shoes for Krans 80 to 40 ; these are made
on European lines. Clumsy Bombay made shoes are also to be had in Bander
Abbas for Rs. 4 to 5 a pair, but do not meet with much demand as they fall
to pieces very quickly. - - _