'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎72r] (148/470)

the Shabanah to the point at which they can be considered an efficient militia force,
it will be necessary to organise an efficient police force for ordinary district work,
leaving the Shabanah for purely military duties. The question is of first-rate
importance, and on its correct solution depends in a large measure the smooth
running of the district administration.
The work of the past year, in the case of Shabanah, no less than in practically
every other branch of the administration, has been largely in the nature of an
experiment, and at least it has been proved that the Arab is amenable to discipline
and offers promising material for further development.
11. Labour. —The labour problem has been acute in Musaiyib and Hillah,
especially in Hillah. The competition of various departments—Military, T.W.T.,
Resources, irrigation, railway—caused something like a labour famine, and rendered
the task of apportioning the available labour one of difficulty.
In other districts there was little demand for labour save for irrigation works,
and this was generally arranged by the Assistant Political Officer through the local
Shaikhs. Labour is likely to be at a premium for years. The construction of
railways and digging of canals are likely in the immediate future to call for a large
amount of labour, while the extension of agriculture which is proceeding will tend
to absorb the surplus population and restrict still further available supplies of
labour.
12. Miscellaneous : Railways. —During the year the broad gauge line from
Baghdad to Hiilah, and the narrow gauge from Hillah to Kifl, were completed.
They have rendered possible the transport of the Euphrates harvest to Baghdad;
and, now that movements of troops on a large scale are no longer to be anticipated,
it is hoped that both lines will soon be thrown open to goods and passenger traffic.
Roads. —A large programme of road-making has been in progress during the
year, and it is now possible to visit almost every part of the Division by car.
Bridges. —During the year the Musaiyib bridge was broken and has not been
repaired. In view of the pilgrim traffic from Baghdad to Karbala, the bulk of
which passes through Musaiyib, a bridge there is badly required, and it is to be
hoped that it will shortly be replaced. The construction of a boat bridge at
Tuwairij has brought Karbala into direct communication with Hillah. From an
Assistant Political Officer’s point of view, this is by no means an unmixed blessing,
as it involves a considerable time spent in entertaining “ joy-riders ” which he can
ill spare from more serious pursuits. A rest-house has recently been opened in
Karbala which will supply a desideratum.
Jails. —A central jail has been opened ' at Hillah, to which all long-term
prisoners from Musaiyib, Karbala and Hindiyah are consigned. Diwaniyah has at
present its own jail and, in view of the long distance to be travelled, it will probably
be convenient to maintain this as a separate institution.
Pilgrimages. —During the year an increasing number of pilgrims passed through
on their way to visit Karbala and Najaf. For the first time for some years the
roads were safe, and the change from Turkish times undoubtedly made a great
impression on the pilgrims.
Some difficulty is experienced in dealing with the pilgrim traffic passing through
Musaiyib owing to the distance to the nearest railway station. It is always
uncertain whether pilgrims starting from Musaiyib for Baghdad will obtain accom
modation in the train and whether pilgrims from Baghdad on alighting will find
donkeys to carry them to Musaiyib. The whole problem of pilgrim traffic requires
careful organisation.
Afforestation. —The question of afforestation has not yet received the attention
which it merits. For the past two years ruthless felling of timber has been going
on, and over considerable areas hardly a tree of any size, apart from dates, is to be
found.
The question of afforestation is one of great importance, since ‘Iraq must
for many years be dependent on imported timber. It deserves expert study.
Meantime a beginning might be made by encouraging the planting of poplars
and willows along all perennial canals, the prohibition of felling without a permit,
which has already been done in Hindiyah, the establishment of nurseries of some
of the more common Indian trees such as babul, and the distribution of seed to
selected Shaikhs.