Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎33r] (65/678)

Foreign Office Press—No. 1445—9-11-03—30.
3^
(S|)
PROPOSED PROHIBITIVE TAX ON THE SALE OP CHEAP
SPIRITS AT MASKAT.
External A, January 1902, Nos. 6-11 (Pro. No. 10).
regulations restricting the sale of
* Aitehison, Vol. XI, page 79.
t „ „ „ Appendix 6.
t „ „ 5.
In July 1901, 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. at Maskat reported that the Sultan had
External a, January 1902, Nos. 6-ii (enclosure mentioned a wish to impose a prohibitive
to Pro. No. 9). . . import duty on cheap spirit. Such duty
was not to apply to wines and spirits, such as port and whisky, ordinarily
imported by the dozen for consumption of Europeans, &c., but only to the
cheap quality of rectified spirits imported chiefly from Grermany, doctored in
the bazaars, and sold at 4 annas a quart bottle.
The Government of India pointed out that the imposition of a prohibitive
import duty on any kind of merchandise,
or the introduction by His Highness of
any merchandise after importation, was
precluded by the terms not only of the
British Treaty * of 1891 and the French
Treaty $ of 1844, hut also of the American
Treaty f of 1833. The Government of
India, however, were anxious to assist the Sultan in his difficulty, declared that
they would place no obstacle in the way, and directed that the Sultan should
be advised to approach the Consular representatives of the French and United
States Governments on the subject.
On the 14th November 1902, § Major Cox reported that the Sultan had
§ Enclosure, Pro. No. 6i in External a, Septem- addressed the French and American
ber 1903 , Nos. 61 - 66 . representatives, and had obtained their
assent, subject to confirmation by their respective Governments, to a proposal
that they should prohibit the subjects of their nations from selling spirits below
a certain price, or by the glass. Major Cox requested permission to issue
rules to this effect which should be binding on British subjects.
On the 29th June 1903, the Government of India replied there was no
External A, September 1903, Nos. 61-66 (Pro. objection to the issue of the Suggested
No - 65 4 rules, provided the French and American
Consuls took similar action in respect of the subjects of their Governments.
On the 25th September, Major Cox reported that the French Vice-Consul
Sub-enclosures 3 and 4 to enclosure 1 of Serial had obtained the Sanction of his GoVCM*
No - 1 - ment to the issue of rules on the lines
proposed, but that the American Consul had received from Washington a
reply which precluded him from giving any undertaking in the matter. Major
Cox enquired therefore whether, in these circumstances, he should proceed to
issue the rules on the subject or not, and orders are required on this point.
C. L. S. Russell, —6-11-03.
S. M. Fraser, —9-11-03.