'Précis of the Affairs of the Persian Coast and Islands, 1854-1905 By J A Saldanha, BA LL B' [‎88v] (176/212)

164
of the commercial treaty with Persia in their despatch No. 7, dated 10th January
1873 to the Secretary of State
fn That a duty of 5 per cent ad valore^n should as hitherto be charged
on ^oods imported by British subjects ; such goods to be exempt
ed from further dues in transit. (This was secured by the treaty
of Turkomanchai.)
(ii) That a refund of 1 per cent, be allowed when goods are not forwarded
to the interior, but sold at the port of importation.
(iii) That a duty of 3 per cent, be levied at the port of exportation on
all Persian produce shipped by British merchants, if purchased at
the port of exportation, the usual 5 per cent, being charged how
ever if purchased in the interior.
(iv) That in the event of the export of specie being interdicted such
interdict should not affect specie, being the proceeds of goods
already sold, or being the value of goods bona fide imported prior
to date of interdict, and that in all ordinary cases a month's clear
notice be allowed before enforcing such an interdict.
(v) That a drawback of -f-ths be allowed on all goods re-exported from
Persian ports.
(vi) That no duties should be levied on goods transhipped in Persian
harbours.
(vii) That British subjects should be on an equal footing with those of
Persia in regard to bankruptcy cases.
(viii) That in the event of the Persian Government deeming it necessary
to interdict the export of produce, the following provisions should
be made :—
lstly,—Ox\£ month's notice (as in Turkey) should be given to all
concerned.
2ndly. —All produce the bond fide property of British merchants, and
actually held by them at the seaport or inland at the time of
the notification being received to be exempt from the prohibi
tion.
yrdly.—The British traders be permitted to carry out their engagements
with vessels ordered to be chartered prior to receipt of noti
fication.
Or alternately two months' clear notice be adopted if practical difficulties
should be anticipated on account of the difficulty of identifying
the goods to be included under the exemption.
(ix) That the agents and servants bond fide employed by^ British traders
in their commercial pursuits should receive British protection.
[This could be claimed under articles 9 and 12 of the treaty of
Turkomanchai].
(x) That decision of Persian authorities in mercantile disputes between
British and Persian subjects should not be carried into effect
without the knowledge and consent of the British authorities.
[This also could be claimed under article 10 of the treaty men
tioned above and clause VII of the Separate Compact.]
604. In their despatch No. 79, dated^ 2nd June 1873, the Government of
India suggested to the Secretary of State
PoiitiCBi A., June 1873, Nos. 77 -58. ^at negotiations for modifying the com
mercial treaty with Persia might be opened during the Shah's visit to London and
that concerted action might be taken with the Russian Government.
605. Apparently no action was taken by the Home Government on these
proposals in the direction suggested by
Political A., February 1877. Nos. 50-56. . ^ Government 0 f ln dia. In I 876 a fresh
agitation was started by the British merchants at Bushire and Messrs. Malcolm
and Co. addressed a letter to the Resident with a view to a revision of the com
mercial treaty with Persia, especially on the following points :—
(i) That the duties be equalized all round and be fixed at 5 P 61 " cen ^
once for all, as applicable to British merchants, and that a stop be
put to the undue advantage allowed to Persian merchants.