'File 8/8 II Annual Administration Report of The Bahrain Agency' [‎307r] (613/720)

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During the month of May, arrangements were made whereby the number
of approved jhopo for the sale of rations was increased and each shop
Issuad with an equal n\u;bjr of rations* Similarly each ration card
issuod, bore the name of the shop from which the rations were to be
purchased and the number of persons allocated to each shop, corresponded
with the number of rations supplied*
This method has proved highly successful f avoided congestion and
overcrowding at rinj r one shop and has provided more regular employment
for these small shopkeepers and their staffs*
The inhabitants of the small township of Hedd, purchase their
rations from ^W^Govornraent ormed shop, built and opened in May, solely
for this purpose; after numerous complaints had been received previously
against shopkeepers, hoarding supplies, profiteering end in many cases
refining to sell*
Since the inauguration of the new system and shop, complaints
have ceased*
To cater adequately to the needs of the villagers- who form quite
_e large proporation of Bahrain's total population, no fewer than six
^new Government owned and staffed centres have been opened at convenient
points on the Island, and complaints of refusal to sell, hoarding, pro*
fiteering etc, are few and far between*
As a result of an arrangement made last year, the Government pur
chased large quantities of dates from Busrah, the bulk of which arrived
during the period under review. Prices were controlled and thus were
within the means of the poor people*
Dates, Date Jui.ce and Jareesh- which is crushed wheat and eaten in
the form of a porridge was the staple diet of many curing tjgj^year, and
particularly popular with the diving fraternity who advised^ they- the
divers from Bahrein,were the best fed of all nationalities at the pearl
ing banks*
During the year under review, the Government of India placed an
embargo on the export from India of Cotton Piece Goods, except under
quota, and in view of the small tonnage allocated to Bahrain, coupled
with the high priers being obtained in the local market, it was felt
necessary, to ensure fair distr!but.1an,to take steps in regard to this
commodity end accordingly arrangements were made and completed in July,
whereby the Government purchased one-third of all existing stocks of
certain popular cheep types of Piece goods at cost price plus 7 % margin
of profit, and sold these stocks to the poor people*
Similarly one-third of all fresh arrivals are purchased on this
basis, for sale to the poor*
A very strict control was exercised over the export of all types
of goods, except those of local origin and in consequence there
numerous attempts to smuggle goods out of the State*, the Police
Customs Staffs have however been very watchful, and have obUinea many
convictions during the year*