ملف رقم ١٢٨٣\١٩١٣ الجزء ٥ "التجارة في بلاد الرافدين، إصدار تقرير تجارة جديد" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٨] (٢٧٠/٢١١)

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78. After improvement, of communications, the next most important
condition for the improvement of trade prospects is the introduction of a settled nature necessary
administration in South Persia. It is needless to enlarge upon the paralysing development,
effect of frequent robberies of caravans and the collection of heavy illegal (») The establish-
imposts under the name of rahdari and dalali, etc., and it does not fall within “ e d n e t r ot a ' van
the scone of the Commissioners’ duties to make suggestions for the better (n) The amehm-a-
control of the tribes. Secondly, merchants may legitimately expect that the ^ the cus 0U1
British Government will make energetic representations to the Persian and
Russian Governments after the war with a view to some amelioration of the
customs tariff. This matter has been dealt with at length in official communi
cations, and the Commissioners need only endorse what has already been said.
The duties on tea, spices, indigo, rice and coffee are certainly too high and the
Persian customs will never be in a position to prevent smuggling of over
taxed articles along the hundreds of miles of coast which the launches are
supposed to guard. Reductions of duty on spirits, wines, and certain articles
of European consumption and clothing, though less urgent and necessary,
might also be asked for. Kerosine, matches, metals and machinery are in a
position to stand an increased duty. As regards exports, wheat, barley and
tambaku pay excessive rates in comparison with those imposed m other
countries, while the duty on opium might be increased. After the war, the
Persian Government will doubtless ask for our consent to increased rates ox
dutv and the special incidence of duty will then require more detailed exami
nation. But any changes that may be agreed to should be made conditional on
reductions in the case of articles which are undoubtedly heavily over-taxed at
present.
79 Thirdly, improved arrangements are necessary for the collection of for
commercial intelligence, for the compilation of statistical data and for the co^ectjo^ot
representation of trade interests generally. intelligence.
In regard to the record of statistics showing the volume and distribution
of trade in the interior, attention is invited to paragraph 21 above. It is
understood that His Majesty’s Government have had under their special consi
deration the whole question of trade representation abroad, and any changes
that may be made in the previously existing system will be of _ universal
application. Emphasis may, however, be laid upon the following points :
(a) that the Consular officer in South Persia and the Gulf owing to the
conditions of his recruitment has little knowledge of trade except
in rare cases, and his energies and interests are absorbed in
political work. So long as the service is manned from the
Political Department of the Government of India, there will be
no change in this respect and there is therefore need for the
appointment of at least two commercial experts over and above
the existing political establishment. One of these officers should
have his headquarters at Bushire but until the political atmos
phere clears, it would be futile to try and estimate where the
second might most profitably be located ;
(b) that Persian trade is a special line and is not attractive to the
ordinary exporter or importer in the United Kingdom and
India, in view of the fluctuations of the exchange, the ignorance
and disregard of European business methods by Persian
chants, the unsatisfactory result of the local credit system, the
difficulty of obtaining redress in case of default, the limited
ran^e of requirements for the Persian market, and the paucity o
exports. Having regard to the political importance of the
Persian trade, it would seem advisable for the Board of Trade on
receiving information as to demands for particular^ articles, to
brin 0 * direct pressure to bear upon special firms in order to
induce them to manufacture and despatch experimental consign
ments ; for instance, endeavours might be made to interest some
firm of iron manufactures in the production of spadeheads and
ploughshares, which are now made locally and extensively used
in Southern Persia for irrigation works and ploughing. Similarly