File 1283/1913 Pt 5 'MESOPOTAMIA TRADE Issue of new Trade Report' [‎123r] (241/270)

* See page 156 of Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, Volume XXIV, Part 4.
APPENDIX NO VII.
SPECIAL OPENINGS FOR BRITISH TRADE.
The establishment of a fish-curring or tinning company in the neighbourhood of Jashk,
Chahbar or Guadur. The sea on the Persian coast at the entrance of the Gulf teems with
fish of various kinds the whole year round : vast quantities of small fish are cast up on the
beach. Sir F. A. Nicholson's monograph on fish curing from a Madras point of view suggests
that there is an even better opening on the Biyaban-Mekran coast. The market to be
supplied is two-fold : (a) simple curing for the taste of the poorer classes in India, (#) curing
and tinning, if possible, for European and wealthier class consumption. A scientific method
seems essential, and British management a sine qua non.
Red Oxide of Iron. —The history of this trade is well known. After the war, the
demand for Red Oxide is sure to revive : and the question arises whether the export of
Red Oxide from these or any other islands in the Gulf shall be left open to competition or
whether Government support shall be confined to a single co*mpany. In any case, it is desir
able to exclude foreign interests, and to give one or more British institutions definite rights
for a period of years. A British shipping company has a better chance of developing this
business than any other, on account of the lower cost of freight: but, from the Government
point of view, a European representative of the exploiting firm should be stationed in the
Gulf. Nothing is less likely to assist the development than to leave the mining to the hands
of Persians, such as the Muin-ut-Tujjar's men as at present.
Iron Ryrites. —This metal is found in the islands off the Arab coast, and samples have
been sent to the United Kingdom : the question whether export is possible, or not, on com
mercial grounds, might be determined at an early date. Mr. Pilgrim thought not. *
Sulphur. —In the early part of the past decade, the extensive deposits at Bustaneh on the
coast near Lingah were being worked to a, very small extent by the Muin-ut-Tujjar (whose
concession subsequently lapsed) and the ore was roughly smelted by very unscientific methods :
but, even then, the small shipments to the United Kingdom were pronounced almost pure
sulphur. Attempts were made to interest the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Limited, in this
particular deposit, for they require sulphur for their refining at Abadan : and the Burma Oil
Company also made enquiries on the subject. There is little doubt that the deposit could be
worked commercially for use in eastern markets : possibly also it would repay shipment to
Europe, if properly smelted under European management. There is another deposit at Khir,
on the coast of the mainland in the Clarence Strait, which might offer itself for exploitation
jointly with Bustaneh.
Gypsum. —The whole of the Persian coast range is prolific in gypsum deposits there is
one of exceptional note and size at Birkat Sifleh near Lingah. Samples have been sent to
India, but it is understood that there is more than sufficient in India for its own needs.
Extensive enquiries have not been made in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere in the British
dominions, or Egypt, to ascertain whether this mineral would have a commercial market.
It is largely a question of freight: and, at times, freights between the Gulf and the United
Kingdom have been very reasonably low. The first thing to do is to obtain further samples,
and to enlist the interest of some large firm or organisation in England, through the Board of
Trade.
Oil Deposits. —Surveys and experimental borings are now being made by the geologists
of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company on Qishm Island and in other places.
Stone. —Though not an article for trade outside the Gulf, the recent commencement oi
the working of stone for paving, ballast and building purposes by the military authorities on
Kharg Island is worthy of remark from the point of view of building and engineering
development in the Gulf and river ports, and their immediate neighbourhood.
The export of Cuttle-fish and of Tortoise (turtle-shell), though relatively small, is worth
mention. The Russian shipping agents have paid special attention to the former at Busire ;
it apparently finds a market at Odessa, but they have never sought to obtain large quantities.
Tortoise-shell goes to Bombay at present, but in small quantities, and the catching and
collection of turtles is not systematically undertaken.
IMPORTS.
Sugar, loaf. —The principal brand has been Belgian for some years, a harder refined article
than the French cone. There has been a vast increase in consumption. The French article ia
hardly eaten south of Shiraz, and chiefly goes to Ispahan. The Hungarian product comes third.-
The popular taste insists on cones, and attempts to introduce cubes have failed, to overcome
this. English refiners have hitherto declined to erect the special machinery involved for
drying, etc., and the whole import is limited to 4 or 5 refineries at the outside. Egyptian