'دليل الخليج، مواد سياسية وتاريخية، منطقة مسقط، ١٨٧٢-١٩٠٣' [‎١‎١‎٥] (١٣٨/١١٧)

years previously nearly all copper coin English : now only j. Sultan preparing
to mint pice at 140 to dollar. Double Indian rupee if coined, might oust
dollar (24-8). Sultan lately closed scales at Matra except for weighment of
iard dates. He and Turki had always looked on Matra with jealousy. In
1880, 1885 and 1889 attempts were made to force Matra dates to come to
Maskat. Sultan pretended that arrangements for weighments at Matra were
only temporary (this though weighment at Matra had been carried on for 24
years) and that original and only proper place of weighment was Maskat and
that no loss was caused to British subjects by change (30-8).
1895.
Correspondence arid interviews continued without effect. Explanation pro
bably that Hindus in Maskat had prevailed on Sultan to favour them at
expense at Khojahs of Matra. Fard dates went to America and arrangement
therefore unduly favoured American trade. Decadence of Maskat due not to
weighments at Matra, but to neglect to improve communications with interior
and absence of fear of pirates, from which in former times convoys were made
up at Maskat (20-1). Scales at Matra were opened again without official
notice to Agent on 25th March (13-4),
1898.
Messrs, A. and T. J. Malcolm proposed to obtain monopoly, concession and
mining rights in connection with oxide of iron deposits said to exist at Abu
Musa, Musandam, etc., and hoped for good offices of British Government
Agents in furtherance of object (11-5). Government of India replied favour
could not be shown to individuals, though legitimate trading enterprises would
be viewed with pleasure. Resident m'ght offer advice, in order to protect
Chiefs from unscrupulous traders (16-7). Practically whole export and
import trade of Maskat in hands of British Indian traders who were also the
only farmers of customs in country. No other had sufficient capital to act as
Sultan's bankers, to honour Sultan's cheques on overdrawn account. Right
to farm customs was sold by auction to highest bidders for period of 1 year.
Contract not binding on Sultan. Purchase money paid in monthly instal
ments and farmer must make considerable advances whenever required.
Arrangements for collection were left to farmer. Sultan was generally in
debt to farmer and could not offend him and was compelled to countenance
illegal charges. Most British traders were ignorant of terms of treaty of
1891; rest were afraid to offend Sultan as they would afterwards have difficulty
in recovering debts from Arabs, etc Both British and Arab traders had to pay
20 per cent, on Oman tobacco, 7J per cent, on mother-of-pearl, shark oil and fins,
isinglass and dried fish, and 6 per cent, on arms and ammunition. Goods of
British traders sent from one part of Oman to another were taxed at both places.
Charges made for weighment were contrary to article VI of treaty. Chief in
direct advantage to farmer was power acquired to hamper business of his rivals.
Five times since 1881 Matra traders (except Messrs. Towell and Co.) had been
obliged to bring dates to Muskat for weighment: this obstruction and delay
contrary to Article Xof treaty of 1891. Sultan also often attempted to replenish
treasury by means inconsistent with British treaty rights, e.g., by sudden impo
sition of 5 per cent, extra tax on dates from Rostak and Wadi Maawal, which
already bought up and paid for by British Indian traders : repeal obtained with
difficulty. Customs farmer was not a servant of Sultan and it was wrong to look
to Sultan for redress. Rules consequently framed by British Consul under Arti
cle I ofMaskat Order in Council of 4th November 1867 making British subjects
liable to Rs. 500 fine or 3 months imprisonment who (1) after entering directly or
indirectly into customs contract failed or unreasonably delayed to furnish Consul
with terms of contract, (2) collected, etc., taxes other than those authorised in
Articles 6 and 7 of treaty of 1891 (3) collected, etc., taxes in a vexatious manner
contrary to Article of treaty (19-11). Scales at Matra were not reopened till
after end of date season i894-95 and since then scales at Matra closed except
for Fard dates every date season (6 -12). lie " export duty " of 5 per cent, on
dates brought from interior to coast, Fagan pointed out inequality of incidence.