Coll 30/9(2) 'Admin. Reports of the Persian Gulf - 1945 -' [‎329r] (657/1148)

smaller scale this year than last, partly owing to the increased
use of the Zahidan frontier, and partly - towards the end of the
year - to restriction on exports from India. The demana .or
credit for clearing and forwarding charges was reduced
accordingly. Considerable business, however, was done in the
disposal, in a steadily rising market of accumulated stocks,
land large profits were made. In support of the Government’s
efforts to check the alarming rise in the cost of living, and
to discourage the hoarding of, and speculation in, essential
commodities, both the Imperial Bank of Iran and the Bank-i-
Mellie agreed to restrict credit throughout the country, and to
refuse all business of a speculative nature. This policy had
little apparent effect up to the close of the year. Interest
rates showed little change from those ruling last year.
The shortage of local currency has been felt here,
as in other parts of the country, but has not yet caused any
serious inconvenience. The condition of many of the notes in
circulation, particularly those of smaller denominations, is
very poor.
The uncertainty of the postal service, and the long
delays caused by lack of transport facilities for mails, are
having an increasingly hampering effect on local business.
Agriculture
Cr6ps very largely failed during tolie year under
review owing to an almost total lack of rain, especial1/ in
Bushire town and the neighbouring districts. Only in Liravi
and, to a lesser extent, in small areas of Dashti and Tangistan
were there surpluses over local needs. In the remainder of the
shahristan, which was by far the larger area, th^re was a great
shortage of foodstuffs. This was to some extent relieved by
the imports of wheat brought in from Canada an&glndia by the
Allies.
Export of dates from the Bush'.re district was
prohibited in order to conserve local supplies. As a result,
v /the small