File 1283/1913 Pt 5 'MESOPOTAMIA TRADE Issue of new Trade Report' [‎134r] (263/270)

S7
PACK TRANSPORT.—If a company could be formed, which could secure the
concession for pack transport between Bushire and Shiraz, there would seem no reason
why it should not be commercially successful. It would be necessary for the company
either to own their own mules or to enter into contracts with muleteers in such a manner as to
ensure invariably a constant supply of animals. But there can be no doubt that the effect
on trade, as a whole, would be highly beneficial. It is probable that in Shiraz itself a great
deal of capital would be available for the inauguration of such a company, provided that
British support were given to the scheme. One condition essential to the existence of any such
company would be the proper policing of the road, which could presumably only be done under
Government auspices.
Three or four years ago, an attempt was made to control the mule supply under an
arrangement called the Naqlieh, by which all the available mule transport was to be appor
tioned out among the merchants, who desired to forward goods between Bushire and Shiraz.
The idea was that mule transport should be shared among the merchants equitably, so that
no single merchant should gain an advantage at the expense of others. The object of the
scheme was largely to benefit the smaller traders and introduce a larger number of merchants
to a share in the direct trade with Manchester. This measure met with strong opposition,
because many merchants, who were doing business in a large way were unable to get sufficient
transport to bring up whole consignments at once, and the fulfilment of their obligations was,
in consequence, delayed. They were unable to obtain the transport that they required within
a reasonable time, in spite of the fact that they were willing to pay largely increased rates in
order to ensure their goods being transported rapidly so as to avoid losing a favourable market.
The actual importers of the goods, who in the majority of cases lived in Shiraz, objected
strongly to the arrangement, because they had no share in the control of the mules and the
Bushire agents were able to favour some Shiraz merchants at the expense of others. The
muleteers also objected, because it restricted their freedom of contract and prevented them
taking advantage of good rates, which they might otherwise have secured. So far as the
object of the measure was to encourage small traders to deal direct with Manchester, it was of
very questionable efficacy as a means of extending and encouraging British trade. Man
chester firms, who dealt with small traders, often had serious reason afterwards to repent
having done so, and, in many instances, after disastrous experiences, they abandoned the market.
The small trader was often seriously hampered in his efforts by the fact that he was only able
to secure a small quantity of his goods at a time. He was thus unable to meet his obligations
and, having no credit and very little capital, he speedily succumbed. The measure thus
defeated its own object.
BASRAH-BAGHDAD RIVER NAVIGATION.—Steamers should not exceed in
length 230 feet and a beam measurement, with two barges, of not more than 120 feet.
River is in flood in April and navigation commences to get difficult about the middle of
July and does not improve until December. During that period, it is not advisable to load
steamers of barges to a bigger draft than 3' O".
Nahibeh Steamer.
Note.
A railway to Baghdad will no doubt lessen considerably the passenger traffic (Basrah to
Baghdad, and vice versa) as far as natives are concerned, should the 3rd class fare demanded
by the railway not exceed the deck fare on steamers the cost of food necessitated by the
water journey. This means that to a certain extent the water transport to Baghdad and back
could be served by tugs towing barges.
IRRIGATION.—Irrigation, in the Baghdad Vilayet in particular, should have good
prospects, as it has been found in the past that, wherever water can be made easily available,
settlers increase under the muquataa system. The cultivator in the Baghdad Vilayet has to
work much harder for his living than in the Basrah Vilayet, owing to the scarcity of water
and he readily takes advantage of improved facilities for irrigation. In the Mosul District,
for instance, the Chaldeans of Talkaif, in a year when water is scarce locally, travel as far as
Adana, where a great deal of cotton is grown, and, after earning good wages, return to their
own country. There is annually great difficulty in bringing grain from the Garraf District
along the Hai River, which is one of the principal grain-producing areas, in consequence of