Coll 29/38 'Kuwait: appointment of Political Agents' [‎15r] (31/673)

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Office of the x°olitical Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
L.T. "Nearchus, at sea.
the 3rd I.arch 1946.
£0
< 1946
From
To
The Hon'ble Sir Geoffrey Prior, K.C.I.K.,
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. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
The Secretary to the Government of India
in the Jxtemal Ait airs Department, hew Delhi.
AWiWil, 11 4 i> A. .h;^. i • ii. J —.iALljk
Sir,
I have the honour to state that the Political Ag^nt.
Kuwait has represented that the Sumptuary Allowance of Rs.100/'
per month attached tp his post is entirely inadequate ana he
requests that it be increased to Rs. POO/- per month.
2. When it is recalled that this gllowance was first
made in 1904 and has not been altered, since, it seems
unnecessary to point out that it is obsolete, doth the . .
increase in the cost of living and the amount Oi entertaining
which 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. is now obliged to do, more than
justify his request.
3. It is unnecessary to conduct research into the cost
or living since 1904 in order to establish its increase in
Kuwait. This has been in the neighbourhood of oOd/o as
compared only with the period before the war. for example,
an unskilled labourer now expects Rs.o/-^to Rs.6/- per day
plus/nis fgod^as compared tp'annas 12/beipre. the war. x jio
cwance
m x „ provide
_.ieir ermDloyees with 7 full furniture, cutlery, crockery,
servants'ana food and with other items such as alcoholic,
■sn?TY:mt liquor and cigarettes at reduced rates.
4. In addition to the rise in the cost of living, the
social obligations of 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. have greatly
increased in proportion to the expansion of xhe ^inropean
community, his increasing business with Ir a q> and the growth
m Kuwait town itself of a section of soci£ty from the more
advanced Arab co'Jintries. The Kuwait Oil Company now employ
over 80 Ruroueans and will soon be employing' twice as many;
they are, indeed, now able to entertain on a scale impossible
for “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. who has to imoort all his stares.
The Rpval Air Force Detachm-nt will probably be doubled in
size m the near future. Service visitors and business men
" n on the pretext
ttixxnxxs:
oh 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. to
the Shaikh has always
hotel
offer
xmjdbmxxfecotft: man rin
or Rest Hpuse, it is incumbent
them hospitality. His Highness, , . , . _ ,.
appreciated western meals nut this example is now being
followed,by others of his family and 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. must
return this hospitality. In addition there lias recently grow
[upa
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. should neglect socially. Finally, it lias long
been the custom that he should entertain periodically junior
members of the ruling family and the leading merchants to , .
dinners ;n the Arab xx style, It is not now possible for him
to do tins on his pay and allowances, as one such dinner at
to-day’s prices costs upwards of Rs. 250/-.
I have therefore the honour to recommend most
strongly that in consideration of the strength oi his case
the Government of India should accede forthwith to the request
of 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. for the increased allowance, with
effect iron the 1st January 1946.
I have the honour to be.
Sir.
Your most obedient servant,
Sd/“ Geoffrey Prior.
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. , Persian aulf>