'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎70v] (145/386)

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Baders who wore exempt from such burdens. The leading features of the system
to he introduced were a uniform rate of 5 per cent, ad valorem on all exports
and imports, whatever the origin of the goods, of the nationality of the trader ;
the suppression of transit dues in the interior and the abolition of arbitrary
restraints on trade imposed, generally for corrupt purposes, by local governors.
The now arrangements touched the pockets of the Darya 13egi, Governor
of the Gulf Torts, and the more important merchants who would be
unable to make favourable arrangements with the foreign officials to
the detriment of their less important competitors, as was possible under
native Persian administration. The Darya Hegi instigated the local chiefs and
merchants from Bushire to the Shat-el-Arnb on the west and to Bunder Abbas
ou the east to forcible resistance, while the Minister of Commerce himself foment
ed an agitation from Shiraz to Bushire and from Kermanshah to Meshed. The
native merchants of Bushire and Shiraz refused to clear their goods from the
Customs House. Tor a month or more business was entirely suspended and
goods imported remained uncleared. M. JNaus was indignant. He made strong
representations to the Persian Government in support of his scheme and
demanded the recall of the Darya Begi which was long delayed but eventually
carried out. The Government, however, was in no mood to face an agitation
so widespread, and counselled patience and tact. They proposed to introduce a
new tariff On a sliding scale which would be more favourable to the native mer-
ediants than the proposed 5 per cent. rate. This taritf, placing native merchants
and foreigners on the same footing as regards the payment of duty, was also op
posed, hut the Persian Government remained firm and the new tariff came into
force in August 1900, and after slight opposition was generally accepted and
immediately extended to Charbar and Gwettur where the farmers were British
Indian subjects whose contracts were arbitrarily terminated. No intimation
was given to the Resident, Bushire, who was compelled to address the Legation
with a view to a remonstrance being made to the Persian Government.
7. Further disregard for British interests was shown by the Director of
Belgian Customs control over Lingah. Customs at Bushire in March 1902. At
Lingali there was a large community of
British Indian traders. The importance of the port as a trade centre "was
due mainly to the fact that, by its position and convenience as a port of call
for oceau steamers, it was the chief emporium foi* the trade of the various places
on the opposite coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , such as Shargah, Debai and Abu
Dhabi. At first, aftei introduction of the 5 per cent, import dutv special arrange*
monts. weie, owing to the exceptional circumstances of Lingah, allowed to re*
main in fi rce for merchandise subsequently exported to the Arab coast, and no
disparity of treatment was shown to British Indian as compared with Persian
traders. Daily in 1902 however goods transhipped within the harbour were
compelled to pay | kran per package transhipment duty; but, if landed,
and re-exported within 20 days—a period complained of as being too short to
arrange for sailing craft during which period they must bo placed within the
control of the Custom House, the rate of ^ kran per package was leviable.
Otherwise the full export duty of 5 per cent, was charged. Further, rice and o-hf
(melted butter) and wheat and barley were charged an export duty of 10 and
15 per cent, respectively, notwithstanding that these articles had been im-
ported into Lin^ah from India and had paid the import dutv of 5 per cent*
The defence set up by the Customs authorities that the export of provisions
from Persia was prohibited, was flimsy in view of the fact that the articles
had been imported for the purpose of subsequent re-exportation. The trade of
1C ’ s ^ eam . er8 b e g 9 n to take freights direct to the Arab coast;
15,000 bags lay at the Lingali Customs House uncleared. Bepresentations were
made to the Legation who secured the re-exportation of the bags free of export
du y but no permanent modification in the rules was effected and the trade of
Lingah has continued to decline.
8. Is or was the activity of the Belgian Customs Officials confined to the south
Twcreased power Of th 0 Boigian Cus. or limited to purely customs matters,
©ms cers ' I 11 1900 M. Castaigne and a subordinate
arrived m Khorasan ; and in May of the following year the customs of Seistau
Ysere iormally transferred to the new Department whose power was gradually