'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [‎15r] (33/62)

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follows 5 ?- 116 reCOmmendati0nS contained « thi "eport may be summarised as
W The creation at the earliest practicable date of a civil port authority,
who will administer the port on the lines suggested in this report.
The ^ preparation of a definite scheme of port works and require-
ments accompanied by plans and estimates.
(m) The early preparation of a tariii of rates and dues to be levied on
vessels and goods using the port.
(iv) Although not directly within the scope of this report, it is recommend-
ed m the general interests of trade, that the port of Bandar
Abbas and neighbouring port of Bostaneh be examined, with a view
to the increase of port facilities.
(26) It may be of interest to point out the similarity between the Port of
Rangoon in Burma and the Port of Basra in Mesopotamia, and, indeed, between
the respective countries:
Both are agricultural countries and inhabited by races distinct from those in
India, and Mesopotamia is in very much the same condition to-day as was Upper
Burma at the time of the annexation.
Both Rangoon and Basra are river ports situated 39 and 67 miles, respectively,
from the sea and served by rivers which traverse the entire length of the country,
but Rangoon being on a river which is not a main branch of the Irrawaddy is saved
from the bar at the mouth which so impedes the entrance to the Port of Basra,
although Rangoon in other connexions has had to spend very large sums of money
on river training and conservancy.
In the progress made by the ports and their towns there is, however, little
similarity, for whilst Basra remains a small town located in an unhealthy swamp
and both in value of trade and shipping tonnage entering the port corresponds
with Rangoon 50 years ago, Rangoon under the beneficent influence of 50 years
of British rule has reclaimed its swamps and is now a city of 300,000 inhabitants,
has developed a trade valued at £38,500,000, and has a shipping tonnage of
3 millions.
It is worthy of note that the greatest increase in the value of the trade of
Rangoon, i.e., between 1900 and 1912 coincided with the period when most money
was being expended on port development and facilities, and is, I submit, a useful
indication of what may be expected at Basra when the bar at the mouth of the Shatt-
el-Arab has been removed and a well-equipped port created.
GEORGE C. BUCHANAN.
Simla ;
The SOth June 1917.