‘Diplomatic and Consular Reports. Persia. Report for the Year 1908-09 on the Trade of the Provinces of Seistan and Kain.’ [‎6r] (11/50)

SEISTAN AND KAIN.
9
Turquoises, which are the second large item in the export list to India
(also from Meshed), have been exported in somewhat larger quantities*
It maybe noted that the value of these two commodities (silk and
turquoises) amounts to considerably more than half that of the total
exports by the Nushki route. Indeed the great impediment to our trade
with the Kainat advancing more rapidly than it does is the paucity of
exports, or rather the fact that the greater part of what exports there
are, go to or through Russia. This refers chiefly to carpets, the manu
facture of which is yearly increasing and at the same time improving in
quality. The proof of this statement is the pregnant fact that carpets
from the Kainat were sent to Russia during 1908-09 to the value of
20,421?. against 12,036?. in the previous year.
The experiment of sending specimen carpets to London has con
clusively proved that there is no reason why a proportion of the
produce of Kainat looms should not go to the United Kingdom via
Nushki and Karachi, and be sold there at a good profit. Against it,
there is the force of old established custom and the difficulty of
Persian manufacturers entering into direct correspondence with London
buyers.
The exportation of ghee, which at one time was sent to India in
fairly large quantites, has of recent years been interdicted (last year
restricted only) by the Persian Government owing to scarcity in Seistan
and Kain. At the present time, owing to good winter rain, prices have
somewhat fallen, and it is hoped that the Persian Government will see
its way to re-opening the trade unconditionally.
The organisation of the Nushki trade route has been considerably
improved during the year, notably in the establishment of an Agent at
Nushki for the clearing and forwarding of goods from railway to caravan
and vice versa. The accommodation along the route has also been
improved.
On the Persian side a rough track with wells has been made by the
local authorities from Koh-i-Malik Siah along the base of the Palang
Kuh range to Aliabad on the Seistan-Birjand road, which is now fit for
traffic and will, it is hoped, be gradually improved. This route, besides
being considerably shorter for caravans going to Birjand or Khorassan,
avoids the fly pests which make Seistan a danger to camels during
the summer and obviates the Hamun water crossing which is always
a matter of risk to merchandise. The new route has incidentally
made it possible to reduce the cost of carriage to Birjand and Meshed
by 1 toman 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. (about 8s. Ed.) per camel in addition to removing the
Hamun ferry charges.
The system of a dual camel contract (Seistan and Nushki) continues to
work well. One of the drawbacks of the present arrangement is that
the transference of goods from one contractor to another takes place
at Koh-i-Malik Siah. Though by the establishment of an Agent at
Koh-i-Malik Siah all that is possible has been done to facilitate the
transfer of goods, yet changing horses in the middle of a desert is almost
as inconvenient as when crossing a stream. * The difficulty arises from
the dislike of the Nushki camelmen to crossing the frontier.
It is a satisfactory sign that Persian traders have lately shown
a far more marked disposition than ever before to go to India and avail