'Report on the British Indian Commercial Mission to South-Eastern Persia during 1904-1905. By A H Gleadowe-Newcomen.' [‎17v] (39/176)

22
REPORT ON TEIE BRITISH INDIAN COMMERCIAL
development of trade with India (the natural source of supply for Southern
and Eastern Persia). Unless some such measures be adopted, the natural
apathy of Hindu, Parsee or Moslem traders, situated as they are remote from
competition, will cause them to allow matters to remain in statu quo, and, as a
consequence, there will he no improvement in trade.
Before closing my remarks regarding Consular matters, I trust I may be
forgiven for making the following suggestions in connection with the Consular
service of Persia. Persia, being an undeveloped country, with peculiar
customs and a language not easily learnt outside it, it seems to me that it must
take considerable time for a Consul to become familiar with his duties and
district. This being the case, I would urge that constant changes are undesir
able and to be deplored. A marked example of the evil resulting from this
policy is offered by Bander Abbas, where there have been four Vice-Consuls
in as many years and where lately for a considerable time there was only a
Goanese clerk. Compare that district witli Kerman, where the late Consul
was practically resident for ten years. In the former British prestige was at
a very low ebb, in the latter it was the reverse.
In Persia things move slowly, and it takes a man a long time to know his
district and to be known in it. Unless he does the one, and is the other, British
prestige and influence suffer and, as a consequence, British trade also. I would
respectfully suggest that Government ought to make it worth the while of
good men to stay at their posts in Persia, and not be constantly seeking transfers
to more congenial surroundings.
There are many drawbacks to service in Persia. An official is cut off more
or less from the outer world and society. Doctors are few and far between,
Dentists there are none, and indeed most of the amenities of civilized life are
either unobtainable or difficult of access. In addition, the cost of living is
m ore than douh leUth at in Ind ia. —
In India, society and the conveniences of life are not lacking, and I venture
to think that if good men are to leave India and serve in Persia, privileges
must be given them to compensate for what they are giving up. We do not
want mediocrity in Persia, but the best talent available, as political officers
have to pit their brains, not only against those of the Persians, but of the
representatives of other nations. We in India are to be congratulated on''
the^ policy of our present Government, which, from all that I can gather, is
letting men see that their services in Persia will not be overlooked. The Gov
ernment of the United Kingdom is not, however, as I have shown, distin
guished by a similar long-sighted generosity towards the Consular Officers
subordinate to the Home foreign Office.
W T e Britishers are proud, as a rule, of our patriotism, and no truer saying
exists than that “ We scatter our bones all over the world in the service
of our Country.” ^ But, coupled with patriotism, all men worthy of the name
have ambition ; kill the latter and the former wanes, or dies altogether.
There was a past when Persian affairs received little or no attention, either
from Government, or the commercial community. There is the present, full of
activity.^ Hpt what of the future. This will, to‘a great extent, depend upon
the attitude assumed by the Chambers of Commerce and the mercantile
community.
Pour very simple ways of increasing in Persia the knowledge of India
and ^ her manufactures have struck me, and I record them for earnest
consideration
(1) At every Consulate or Consular . Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. let there be a show room
for samples of Indian goods, with prices and full details clearly
marked in Persian, showing place of origin and firm from whom
obtainable.
(2) Consular Officers are provided by the Indian Government with
funds and with collections of articles intended to be offered as
gifts to Persian gentlemen and their servants who have shown