'File 19/175 Bahrain - Pearling' [‎23r] (44/83)

-equately deal.with divin t disputes. Had ^allam been here sufficiently
to ieaj.ly study tae diving question & to take
tlie measure ef Uxe local people, he could not have failed to come to
tae. conclusion that there exists in Banrain no bsdy of men capable, or
sulficiently disinterested ,te form a tribunal fit tadeal with diving
disputes^before the new system has had full effect on the whole diving
kZ-N T.ue Diving rules are not ; as i-allam appears to think, intricate
in any ...,y dillioult,nor has there been / in introducing the reformsy
any attempt made to alter the rules long established by custom. The
mtrxaaitas of the situation arise from the appalling abuses which have
been allowed to creep in during Shaik <jsa>s negligent rule,and it is
the gradual elimination ef these abuses which necessitates,far some
little time,diving cases being taken in a oeurt whicii is impartial,*
which from the knowledge it derives from the many caees which come before
it, is in a position to gradually frame rules which will prevent
recurrence of the abuses, kallam must have nad extreme difficulty in
distinguishing between customary rules,* what one may call customar;
abuses,by which I mean abuses which in late years had become well ni to h
customary^ut which knov^ to be a breach of the original
rules . The customary diving rules are well known and can be clean.
fr\su \s '
stated in a new 'code' of diving rules would cause an
uproar and is quite unnecessary,all that is now required is ioiowledge^
combined with action, to put a stop to abuses of the well known coae,
^thas the court is rapidly effecting * the spade work has already been
L ^ ne * Car * is essential for a few years to guard against backsliding.
I have studied this particular Branch of the reforms
' 0re tlian an - / as it is by far the most important .The benefits of
the reforms are already evident^and are mest encouraging^ there is
Utile doubt that in a few years, if the system oe persevered in,almost
all tiis aivcr^ will oe out of debt Jc the accounting system will then
^ SUOii a £illple fom tlle few disputes which could arisf
would be immediately settlod.The most encouraging part of all this is,
that there is a very distinct change in the attitude of the Kakhudas '
themselves,who are slowly realising the advantages. If they could revert