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File 1283/1913 Pt 5 'MESOPOTAMIA TRADE Issue of new Trade Report' [‎120v] (236/270)

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The record is made up of 135 folios. It was created in 24 Nov 1919-27 Oct 1920. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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devoted considerable study to the 'natural products of the hinterland. Russian competition
affected British merchants chiefly at the inland markets.
Harbour facilities .—The harbour was carefully surveyed in 1904. There are two ancho
rages of which the outer accommodating ships of deep draft, at a distance of 4 to 4^ miles
from the shore, affords little shelter from storms, while the inner (Khor Deira) which is about
If miles from the landing place, is safe in all winds but is approached by a channel negoti
able at present only by vessels drawing 17 feet or less at suitable tides. The deepening of the
approach to the inner anchorage would be a costly operation and would not be justified unless
there was likely to be a very large development of trade. Further, the inner anchorage
would be somewhat rough during a shamal and it would probably be necessary to diedge a
canal from it to the Customs Creek (Khor Sultani) but the streams are said to be very strong
there. It was under contemplation to make preliminary borings in order to ascertain the
nature of the material to be dredged in making this canal but owing to the war no action
has since been taken. It is a question for consideration whether a long breakwater could
profitably be constructed out from the western front of the port. But it seems unlikely in
any case that Bushire could be converted into a convenient port unless at very disproportionate
cost. The wharfage accommodation along the Customs Creek needs to be increased.
(ii)
LINGAH.
The main centres supplied by Lingah are inland, Lar, Jahrum, Bastak and the surround
ing districts, and by sea the Arab coast ports, to which goods are shipped by sailing boat, or
steamer when available. Owing, however, to difficulties re transhipment of goods, cargo
for these ports is now shipped direct to Dibai, whenever possible.
In consequence of the high Customs tariff fixed by the Persian Government large quan
tities of goods brought to Lingah for transhipment to the Arab coast, are eventually smuggled
back into Lingah, and other places on the Persian side.
German competition in the past was particularly successful in the following
goods. Cotton piece-goods, such as prints, loin-cloths, turbans, white twills, towels, cheap
vests and calicoes. Their piece-goods usually had a ready sale owing to the fact that they were
cheap, and also had bright colours and gaudy patterns which were specially to appeal to
the Oriental taste. Gold and Silver Lace and Thread.—Sold in very large quantities for
women's dress.
Alcoholic Drinks and Wines.—These, though not imported in large quantities, neverthe
less had a ready sale owing to their cheapness, even with less strict Mohammedans.
Matches.—At one time German matches were sold throughout the bazars, and few other
makes were obtainable. The quality of the matches imported by the late firm of Robert
W onckhaus and Company, was very fair indeed. At the present time the market is being
flooded with Japanese matches, which as a rule are of very poor qualitv.
Porcelain, Glass, and Chinaware.—German porcelain, glass, and china was largely sold
in the past, and there are still small stocks on the market. The chief demand is for cheap
glasses of gaudy designs and colours, very small sized glasses holding about a couple of fluid
ounces; for tea, porcelain, and china bowls, and flat pans ol varying diameter. Glasses
with stems are much sought after.
Enamel ware.—This was largely imported by the Germans, though it was chiefly of
Austrian manufacture. The most popular articles are bowls of various diameters, flat pans
about 12 inches to 36 inches and even 48 inches in diameter and about 2 to 4 inches
in depth, kettles, tea-pots, mugs, and round flat bottomed dishes with covers.
. ^oft and Loaf Sugar—German sugar, in which is included Austrian and Belgian,
which the Germans imported in large quantities, invariably sold better than English
owing to the price being slightly lower. The quality was undoubtedly inferior to Messrs.
1 ate s sugars. A very popular form of loaf sugar was that sold in cones, of Austrian
make, and the French, in small cubes, of the St. Louis type.
British sugar should be pushed, as the consumption is large both in Lingah district
and up-country. The import of loaf sugar from the United Kingdom in 19*13-14 only
amounted to £322. If India and Aden are included the total value only amounted to £2 407
whereas Germany alone imported £9,017 worth. German imports also included loaf suo-ar
of Austrian manufacture. As regards soft sugar imported during 1913-14 India led with
£14,744 Germany came next with £7,280 worth. Japanese sugar is now being largely
imported through India. & o j
Cutlery, and Aluminium Ware.—Cheap knives and aluminium spoons of the ordinary sizes
have a sale. German pocket-knives have been largely sold, but there is still a tendency to
^ mves manufactured by Rodgers and Sons. The name Rodgers still seems to
be accepted as a guarantee of quality, and it is to be feared that German goods bearing this
oouTd 6 brmaS;tfeduced7ri^ Srea% ^ “ this directi ° n ' “ Bn S lish S» ods

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Part 5 of the volume (folios 3-137) consists almost entirely of two extensive and successive government reports about trade conditions in Mesopotamia, following the end of the First World War (1914-1918) and the development of British commercial interests in the region. The later report, printed at the Government Press, Baghdad in 1920, is entitled Report on the conditions for trade in in Mesopotamia prepared in Office of the Civil Commissioner in Baghdad . It includes a communication map which outlines the region’s road and railway network. The earlier report, printed by the Government of India at Calcutta in 1919, is entitled The Prospects of British Trade in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

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135 folios
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English in Latin script
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File 1283/1913 Pt 5 'MESOPOTAMIA TRADE Issue of new Trade Report' [‎120v] (236/270), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/368/2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100048209174.0x00002e> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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