'File 19/176 III (C 51) Bahrain Finances' [‎315r] (635/687)

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The decrease of m 36?/- in vehicle licenses is explained by
en adjustment in the method of oollectin; these dues, by
which a vehicle registered in the letter"half of the year
would pay one half of the annual tax. instead of. as pre-
viously, the tax for the whole year*
.he increase in the collGctioni from yearling licenses is
accounted for by the collection in 1352 of a number of
arrears in 1351•
The decrease of k 406/- in craft registrations is accounted
for by the prompt payments of the renewal fees in 135E by the
owners of craft, who have thus saved themseiYes the penalties
of late lees.
Since there has been no change in the rates of collection of
duty during the past year, a comparison of the classified
receipts may be of interest:-
Comparison of receipts.
1351 1352
Steamers cargoes h 294,400/- S66.710/-
Nati?e craft 81,870/- 82,266/-
Paroels duty 16,519/- 16.470/-
Ixport duty 1,913/- 94l/-
2| duty on R.E. cargo 2,345/- 20,527/-
Miaoellaaeous fees 7.662/- 7,211/-
Import yard collection 153,S8l/~ 162,755/-
Total Ei — 558~a90/-~ "556^880/-"'
In reference to the above, for 1352, the item of R.E. collec
tions should be read with steamers* oargoes collections, since
the marked increase in collections froir Direct Pranshipment cargo
is the result of the arrangement for ^overside delivery 1 of EtE.
bag cargo in quantities of not less than one thousand bs^s. This
arrangement is of considerable benefit to aie Kejdy meronants,
but the customs department suffers in the loss of the relative
Import Yard Charges. There is no doubt that this arrangement
is also of assistance to the J .I. . .Company Ltd., in amntain-
ing freights to Bahrain, although it is sore than probable that
(if this arrangement did not exist) such cargo would be dis-
cherged at Dubai and thence traasuorted to the raeinland by native
craft as is now very largely the case with piece mods and tea.
But unfortunately tuis arrangement does not assist the Hindu
merchants in Bahrain their trading with the mainland, since,
on account of local residential restrictions there, such merchants
feel that they are not afforded opportunities to cornnete on e^ual
terms tith the Hejdy merchants.
It is Quite likely that this position may be brought to the atten
tion of Higher Authority, but from the customs point of view the
arrangement ensures a simple method of collecting R.E. duty, and,
it may be added from a general point of view, fairly regular
employment for tjdy native craft.
Moveover, it should be noticed that s.s,-rhu2istan rt a British
Tanker steamer operating from Abadan, :oes an extensive business
in the sale, by overside delivery, of it.P.O.Coy's products for
transfer to the mainland by native craft.
although the collections of export duty (on dates and shells)
in any year are small, the marked decrease in 1352 is to be