‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎415v] (829/949)

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Development of trade.—Until tliere are roads fit for wheeled traffic to the
interior, or railways, things are not likely to improve much as the bandit and
nature will still remain kin?s of the way and enemies of trade. Iliat there are
openings for the development of the tea trade there can be no doubt, of as this
is a country of tea drinkers, but you will have to supply tea suited to their
palates and the price of which is within the reach Agencies could be easily
opened at Bunder Abbas, Bushire, and Buserah, where there are European
firms who could push Indian tea if it was made worth their while.
The want of a wider system of telegraphic communication Banks at
trade centres and ports roads, railways, and the existence, of an imperfect
postal svstem, coupled with the want of security in transit are all serious
obstacles to trade, and it is hard to see how much headway can be made in
land until these are removed to some extent.
We want better consular arrangements at Bunder Abbas, an inexperienced
Vice-Consul, with virtually no powers, is not the man to cope with the Russo-
Belgic customs combination or to uphold the dignity and prestige of our trade.
The Belgic rides rampant in Bunder Abbas and the poor little Goanese
clerk who is in charge of our Vice-Consulate is of as much use as a dead plea.
We need a man with greater powers than our rivals, and with greater experience
is what is required, not a young officer who knows nothing and has no power.
The man here should be in a position to deal direct with the Foreign Depart
ment in India and the President at Tehran.
Remember Bunder Abbas is the mouth of the Southern Persia and if
the latter is to be developed we must not allow the mmth to be closed.
Bunder Abbas wants making and it can be made, but never will be by the
Persian Government, as the Belgic-Russo interests are not in this direction.
India must do the needful.
A perusal of Mr. MacLean’s report on the tea trade will be most inter
esting to members of the Tea Cess Committee, but most of his remarks do not
apply to that portion of Persia over which the Mission will travel. I am
afraid I connot agree with Mr. MacLean in his optimistic views or rather
those of Persian traders on page 30. It seems to me that unless the material
prosperity of the country is greatly improved, increased consumption cannot
be expected, or even the status upheld, with the price on an article doubled,
before people can afford to consume the same amount of an article at double its
former price, they must have a balance at their disposal and not be living from
hand to mouth. Mr. MacLean’s remarks on the relative consumption of China
and Batavian teas do not apply to this part of Persia. The relative proportion
might roughly be taken as China 1 anna, Batavia 3 annas, India 12 annas ; these
refer to consumption in these ports, not to importation via Bunder Abbas.
The steamer from Bombay has just arrived and I note that she has
brought a consignment of tea, consisting of 276 chests, shipped bv S. S.
Wardha from Calcutta. Most of the tea is Pekoe! No. 1 , Pekoe No. 2,
and Pekoe Souchang from Cachar gardens, prices ranging from 4 annas to
5 annas or a little over.
Messrs. Pinlay Muir are the shippers on behalf of Messrs. McMeekin of
London and the goods are consigned to Messrs. Zeigler & Co., Teheran, via
Bunder Abbas and Yezd.
I presume they have not gone via Bagdad as Zeiglers have no agent
that route, but it would be interesting to find out from Messrs. Einlay Muir.
I ^ am ^formed that this is the first lot of tea consigned to Zeigler & (
i U ^ 1 ? n ’ as simplifies the problem of development if goc
S l U1,p . ed 011 consignment to reliable firms. Messrs. Finl
Muir may be able to give some valuable information.
reachTn [here weet’ 0 “ ^ 6th f ° r Sirjan " bich we ho P 8
The health of the Mission is good.