File 8/9 Annual Report on the State of Bahrain for the year AH 1351 [‎72r] (148/200)

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^mother interesting point is the increase in
the quantity oi^artificial silk piece goods here. These
come almost entirely from Japan; and are reasonably
good m quality, very cheat) in price and attractive in
appearance. These goods have found a ready market
nere and are particularly favoured for re-export to
the mainland oi ^irabia, although for religious reasons
J^e wearing of pure silk Roods is not approved there,
^.nas naturally followed that the trade in Manchester
cooton^piece goods has relatively suffered; and this
is an interesting fact to record in view of my repo rt
on the l»cal piecegoods market of three years agoT
The quantities of cereals and coffee are reasonably
constant and mean that local merchants are buying against
sales instead of, as_heretofore, accumulating large
stocks in a speculative manner against the possible
needs of the pearling season. For two years there
has been no special B.I.S.iT.Goy rice steamer here from
Calcutta, and the merchants 1 requirements are now brought
forward by transhipment via Bombay.
If we comuare actual receipts (as distinguished
from Budget Estimates) for the past two years^ we shall
find:-
Comparison of receipts.
Year 1350
1351.
Steamers cargoes ..
Native craft""
Parcels duty
Passengers baggage
Export duty . ..
2^ duty on R.E. cargo
Miscellaneous fees
Re-export duty
Import Yard charges
Es 2,73,578/-
93,691,/-
9,234/-
15,182/-
2,352'-
38,052/-
9,404/-
1,78,197/-
2,94,400/-
81,870/-
16,519/-
19,470/-
1,913/-
7)662/-
2,345/-
1,53,381/-
The above comparison of facts is interesting in
view of the fact that on the 1st Maharam 1351 (corres
ponding with the 6th May 1932) the current flat rate of
Import Duty of five per cent ad valorem was changed to
seven-and-a-half per cent ad valorem uuon a small list
of articles which might perhaps be termed *Luxury Tt
imports.
This list was compiled with the Adviser's approval
after very careful consideration, working upon the prin
ciple of doin.^npthing to increase the cost’ to the public
of food commodities. Later in the year, namely 4th
Ramadhan 1351 (corresponding with 31st December' 1932)
the rate of seven-and-a-half per cent upon these commo
dities was further increased ho ten per cent, except
upon alcoholic liquors and tobacco and its manufactured
products, which were increased to fifteen per cent ad-
valorem. ^ In regard to these increases, which were
made with considerable reluctance, it is good to note
that they were accepted by the mercantile community
without any comment except perhaps a little surprise
that they had not been imposed earlier; and. indeed,
at the present time the importers are expecting that
the rate of ten per cent a"d valorem will” be applied
to imports of all kinds, as the necessity for raising