'File 19/172 II (C 94) Bahrain Armed Police' [‎205ar] (450/478)

3
which till recently was of little importance but now requires very strict supervision
owing to the difficulties created by the Persian Government.
7. I show below the collections of the customs for the past four years
Its.
1344
1345
1346
1347
8,82,000
9,62,000
10,58,000
• • • • • • • • • 10,70,000 (at least, one
month to run).
It will be seen from these figures that there has been a very considerable improve •
meat which has been made without the imposition of any additional taxation, and at
an administrative cost of not more than 5 per cent. The improvement in revenue
seems to have found more or less its level now, and His Excellency’s claim that
Government should guarantee him against loss is perfectly equitable, and I do not
see how else they can oblige, him to discharge an employee with whom he is well
pleased.
8. It must be rememl)ered that the gradual increase in revenue has been accom
panied by an mciease in expenditure. Should i\Ir. de Grenier s departure result in
a diminution of revenue, which seems inevitable, the results would be most serious.
The allowances of the A1 Khalifa family (on a generous and ever expanding scale)
would have to be drastically reduced, involving much discontent among a very in
fluential body. Expenditure on public works, education, medical institutions, land
registiation, courts and police 5 in fact all the benefits arising from the reforms,
would have to be cut down as they are dependent for their existence on the present
high rate of customs collections.
9. I confess I can think of no alternative to Mr. de Grenier. A customs officer
on deputation would presumably be equally unacceptable to Government, and there
is no one in the State, as the Shaikh observes, to replace him. The Hindus to whom
the Customs were formerly farmed out proved a failure, and the method itself is objec
tionable. An Egyptian or Syrian would probably be less efficient, and my experience
of Syrian customs officials leads me to think that they would be less honest. Mr.
dc Gremei is well liked by the merchant s and the Shaikh, and, as Sir Frederick pointed
out to the Government, residents in the Gulf are well used to seeing foreign advisers
employed.
•
10. In short, if there be any objection to the employment of Mr. de Grenier, it
certainly does not come from EaJirain where his services are appreciated, and if
the Government of India, for reasons of policy, arc determined that the Bahrain
State should dispense with them, it is only equitable that they should undertake to
'ndemmfy it c gainst the losses which it feels wall 'inevitably ensue. There is no
-ed for me to point out that the post was originally a creation, not of the State, but
the Government of India and their agents.
(5)
Confidential letter to the Hon ble 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. , Bushire, No. F. 164-N./29, dated the 18th June 1929.
In reply to your letter No. 184-S., dated the 1st June 1929 [Serial No. (4)],
1 am directed to say that your views on the general issues raised in my letter No.
F. 164-N./29, dated the 28th May 1929 [Serial No. (I)], will be awaited before a deci
sion is taken on the particular question of the retention of Mr. de Grenier s services. 6
( 6 )
MEMORANDUM.
The papers specified below were transmitted to the Secretary, Political Depart
ment, 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. , London, for the information of His Majesty’s Secretary of State
for India, under cover of the Foreign Secretary’s letter No. 52-M., dated the 20th
June 1929:—
1. Letter from the Hon’ble 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. , Bushire,
No. 172-S., dated the 28th May 1929 [Serial No. (3)].