Coll 29/22 'Compensatory allowance in lieu of customs exemption to officers serving in Persia and the Persian Gulf' [‎101r] (203/396)

3* After Ur* Blanca's departure It was
impossible to continue this arrangement for the simple
reason that no probationers had been sent to Tehran for
two or three years past. In the circumstances it was
necessary to select an officer for the post from among
those serving outside Persia and the choice fell upon Mr.
Baillie. I am unaware of the exact reasons which led
him to leave his family in England, but apart from anything
else it would have been an act of elementary prudence on
the part of any officer in his position not to bring them
to Bushire until he had himself made arrangements for their
reception.
4* It may be objected to this argument that
many other officials live in Bushire with their wives
and families without disastrous consequences • The answer
to this objection is, I think, twofold. In the first
place the other officers on the staff of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India.
have almost all had long experience either of Persia or
of countries like India where the climate and standards
and ways of life are more or less the same. In the
second place these officers have very much more money to
spend upon the comforts which make life in these countries
tolerable.
3* This second point is one that has often been
raised before, but which I make no apology for raising
again in view of the glaring discrepancy which it involves.
The best illustration in Mr. Baillie's case is to compare
his position with that of the Under-Secretary to 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. . The present incumbent of that post,
who is twenty seven years old, and is still on probation
(and unmarried) receives (including > *» the one hundred
Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a month paid as customs duty compensation to all
/officers