‘Diplomatic and Consular Reports. Persia. Report for the Year 1908-09 on the Trade of the Provinces of Seistan and Kain.’ [‎7v] (14/50)

12
SEISTAN AND KAIN.
18,191L last year. These figures, it should be noted, are the result of
registration at Birjand. If Russian trade direct with the northern part
of the province with its well populated villages had been included,
there is no doubt that imports from that country would be represented
by a considerably larger figure. The main reasons that Russia, without
any efforts or organisation, continues to increase her trade with Birjand,
are the two-fold ones mentioned in my report for the previous year—
her proximity and the fact that the carpets, which are the most
valuable products of the Kainat, are sent north to Russia.
As regards the former, it is only necessary to point out that Birjand
is only 498 miles from the railhead at Askabad but 726 miles from that
at Nushki. Of the former distance, a length of 170 miles is adapted for
wheeled transport, pack transport being only necessary for 328 miles,;
whereas for the whole of the greater distance from the Indian railhead
goods must be carried by camels. The distances to Birjand from the'
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports, whence British and Indian goods reach Birjand
through Ispahan, Kerman, Yezd and other places, are not less un
favourable to our trade.
The advance made by Russian trade during the year under report
was not so marked as in the previous year 1907-08, owing to the Birjand'
market having been somewhat over-stocked.
The chief articles of trade imported into Seistan and Kain are 1
(1) Sugar. —Russian sugar seems to be driving other Continental
sugar from the market.
(2) Cotton and woollen tissues.—-The principal article is gul-i-rusi, a
species of chintz, of which large quantities are sold. This is the chief
trade head under which there is British and Russian competition.
1907-08. 1908-09.
' £ £
British, Indian and European imports other
than Russian ... ... ... ... ... 19,424 9,725
Russian ... ... ... ... 4,410 7,393
Continental goods are imported along with British and Indian goods
by the Nushki route and by the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports. It is impossible to
say what proportion of these goods is of Continental origin. The
Customs Department is supposed to distinguish between the countries*
of origin in its annual statements. In the statement supplied to me,
however, the value of Continental goods amounts to less than 1 per cent ,
of the whole. This is probably under the mark, though the amount
cannot be anything but insignificant.
Of the goods reaching Seistan and Kain from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
ports perhaps 20 to 25 per cent, may be estimated to be Continental.
It is of interest to notice that the synthetic indigo imported last
year for use in the manufacture of carpets proved a failure.
YI. Difficulties which the law and 'practice of tl\e country place in the
way of trade.—[a) Law as understood in more advanced countries does,
not exist in Persia.
Gases not settled by arbitration are decided in the Karguzar’s court r
British subjects being, of course, assisted by their Consuls. The
Karguzaris entitled to a fee of 5 per cent, on moneys recovered through
his court.