'Report on the British Indian Commercial Mission to South-Eastern Persia during 1904-1905. By A H Gleadowe-Newcomen.' [‎19r] (42/176)

MISSION TO SOUTH-EASTERN PERSIA FOR 1904-1905. 25
Then the lack of a properly organised system of transport causes delays ;
owing to want of water and grazing, animals are not kept at the ports, hut
have to be procured from the interior, and at times it is impossible to make
up a caravan for want of transport.
At Bushire, the premier port in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , transport is frequently
insufficient, and, consequently, goods are delayed in transit, sometimes even
having to be re-shipped to another port, as 'was the case with the telegraph
stores for the Central Persian Section ; and, although the question of transport
is not so serious at Bander Abbas, goods tor the interior are, even there,
sometimes delayed for a month before pack animals are available.
This all means heavy loss. In the first place, there are the expenses of
storage, and losses arising from deterioration at the port; then there are the
losses from capital lying idle and from the late arrival of goods at their
destination, which often means the loss of a rise in prices.
The foregoing shows, pretty conclusively, the urgent necessity for improved
means of communication and the institution of properly organised means of
transport; hence I am constrained to make the following suggestions for the
favourable consideration of the Government of India and the Chambers of
Commerce.
I do not think any scheme for a road, suitable for wheeled traffic, from
Bushire or Bander Abbas to the interior, would be feasible over the kotal or
over the mountains that run between the Plateau and the Littoral, but
doubtless much could he done to improve and open up communications
between Mohammerah and the interior, as well as regards Bander Abbas via
Bam and Bigan.
The trade route from Bander Abbas via Minab and Bigan to the interior
is to my mind, from a purely commercial point of view, the one that requires
the most immediate attention ; here we have no terrible kotals or places like
the Tang-i-Zindan to cope with, hut a comparatively easy country, if the Gishu
( pass be avoided and the road alignment taken through the easier Sabzu Pass.
Bander Abbas is the natural port of entry for goods intended for
Southern Persia, and we must look to improvements here as the real means of
developing the trade of a more or less virgin country. I have no hesitation
in saying that money expended in improving the port and its communications
will be money well spent, and will be a profitable investment both to the
Government of Persia and that of India.
Much of the country that lies inland from Bander Abbas is quite untouched
from a commercial point of view, and only awaits opening up ; we cannot do
this without a good road and more rapid and sure mean of transit than exist
at present. Improved postal and telegrapic communications are easy of attain
ment, and are, I understand, receiving consideration. They will, however, he
of comparatively little use without a good road suitable for wheeled traffic;
this last is the crux, and how are we going to get over it ?
My advice is that the Government of India apply at once for a concession
to construct a road to Kerman via Minab, Bigan and Bam, the road to be
built on proper levels, so that wheeled traffic could run along it wuth ease
and celerity.
This would at once solve one of the greatest difficulties that at present lie
in the path of trade development, for not only would it do away with delays
and loss in transit, hut it would open up a large tract of country, for the growth
and exportation of cotton, gums, etc., that is now virtually an unprofitable
desert, by bringing it in touch with Bander Abbas.
Later on extensions might be made up to Tehran, Seistan and Khorasan,
and it is quite impossible that, once the road was made, it would be found
feasible to run motor, or some other description of traction, cars for the carriage
of merchandise.
Bapid and safe transit from the sea to the interior is what is wanted, and
I can see no reason why it should not he obtained ; once done, it is hard to say
where the development of trade would stop, for I think it may safely be argued
that, with easy and safe transit, there would come an enormous development of
export trade, and, as a consequence, imports would also increase.