‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎36v] (71/949)

33
REPORT ON TRADE OF PERSIA.
Number in
Table of
Statistics.
chitsaz attribute the reduced consumption of these prints to the
increased cost of them resulting from the rise in price of raw
material and labour, but as the rise in kran prices is general, the
real cause of the decline in Persian prints must be attributed to
the competition of foreign goods ; not precisely the same kind (for
attempts have been made to imitate them abroad, and failed), but
of other sorts which have taken their place.
59
Imported Prints.
The great increase in Russian trade has been in prints, and
particularly in red-ground prints.
It seems that these red-ground prints are very widely used in
Russia, which enables manufacturers to supply the wants of the
export houses in a great variety of designs promptly, and at a
minimum cost, from stock.
Azerbaijan .—In Tabriz the decline in British imports is due
to competition from Russia. Their red-ground prints, of which
1.200 bales or more may be imported, have driven out th^
Manchester article. In other classes of prints the Russian com
petition is also severely felt by importers of Manchester goods.
In heavier goods, however, such as mixture coatings (fa9onne)
trouserings, velvets, plushes, Russia is only beginning to establish
a place.
In velvets and plushes, &c., the British manufacturer has to
compete with German, and in cotton trouserings with Italian goods,
whilst in high-class prints of superior finish, cretonnes, satinettes,
Oxfords, French and Austrian goods find a steady market. British
firms in Tabriz have to work against the Persian traders dealing
through Constantinople, and, despite the intermediate profits to be
paid there, Stamboulchis, as they are called, have always main
tained a close competition.
Kermanshah and Hamadan .—In Hamadan, Russian prints
now appear in large quantities, and these are imported direct either
from Resht or from Teheran, where superior facilities are obtain
able in the matter of credit. The Russian imports are chiefly in
prints of stock pattern, mostly of red-ground, and other dark goods.
They now form, perhaps, one-fourth of the total trade. The
villagers will pay 16 or 17 shahis per zar for Russian prints of stout
material and fast colour in preference to British goods at 15 shahis.
The imports from Manchester, through Bagdad, chiefly in the
hands of Jewish traders, are losing reputation, as these traders are
constantly lowering the quality of their goods, whilst Russian
goods are kept steadily at the same quality and price. Russian
competition has been much more felt since the Banque
d’Escompte commenced to push trade by granting large credits on
easy terms in Teheran.
In light prints, red twills (a large trade), indigo-dyed shirtings,
muslins, gauzes, and cotton trouserings, &c., the business is still
British and British Indian
In Kermanshah, Russian goods have been known for some five
years now, but have not yet taken a strong hold on the market.
Their goods are of better quality and more expensive than the
main lines of British imports, and seem to find a special market.
At equal qualities, however, their goods appear to be offered
somewhat cheaper, perhaps 1 kran per piece, than British
goods.
Imports through Bagdad are mainly in the cheaper grades of
Manchester prints, and the local markets, which extend to Burujird
and Kurdistan, show no sign of contraction.
At least 80 per cent, of the trade is in the hands of Jewish
traders.