'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎81r] (166/386)

Other articles of commerce were heavily burdened. 'Woollen piece-goods were
subiected to a duty of 68 per cent. ; indigo to 47 per cent, and the rate on rice
9 pe r cent. As regards exports, the rates on grains of various descriptions
which went to British possessions were increased by percentages varying from
3 1 to 20 per cent., while corresponding articles of export to Russia on the
Caucasian frontier, such as dried fruits, raisins, almonds, etc., were exempted
altogether from duty. Cotton, which was only taken by Russia, was to be
exported free, while opium, practically all of which was exported to British
possessions, was to be at an increase of 8 per cent, on the present tariit.
17. The agreement finally stipulated that it should never be modified without
the consent of the Russian representative at Tehran, and that Russian subjects
should be privileged to pay the duties in Russian Bank-notes.
18 The British Convention did not provide for the payment by Indian
traders of dues in Indian currency notes and it was f
might thereby arise. The Government of Inaia addressed Ui s J ?
Minister Tehran, on 22nd August 1903, enquiring whether payments could be
made in (i) Indian Government notes, (ii) British sovereigns PO-tmg out that
in the interest of Indian traders, the former was very desirable. ^ A Har i
promised to discuss the matter with M. Naus, but pointed out that the British
Convention only provided for Bank of England notes No reply being lecen ed,
the Government of India again reverted to the matter and were informed y
Sir A. Hardinge in March 1905, that no payments in foreign coin whether in
sovereigns, francs, rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. or roubles were accepted m settlement of customs d ie ,
Vhu'h must be made ia krans. alone but that as regards B a nk.no es
M. Naus was willing to accept payment in them i£ the Imperial Ilank of Pe
with whom he proposed discussing the matter would fi* their value m kians
from time to time. No settlement in this matter had been arrived at before
Lord Curzon left India.
19. The suddenness with which the new regulations were enforced detri-
t ^* * oHn mentallv affected trade already in transit
ia E Si? f neWtariff ° n Indiantrad ° from India to Persia, The revised tariff
became operative on the 14th February 1903, a month earlier than had been
generally 1 expected, with the result that several traders, who had already des
patched their caravans from Quetta to Persia by the Seistan route, were unable
either to import their goods into Persia before the enhanced duties weie enfoiced
along its frontiers or to recall their caravans. Representations were receu e
bv the Government of India from traders protesting against the failure ot the
Persian Government to give adequate notice, contrary to international usage ,
and His Britannic Majesty’s Minister was asked to try and secure the postpone
ment of the date for the operation of the new duties m the case of caravans
which had left Quetta before the date on which the new duties came into force.
Sir Arthur Hardinge was unable to arrange this, since the Persian Agreement
with Russia compelled Persia to enforce the new tariff simultaneously at all the
ports and frontiers of Persia on the 14th February 1903.
20 With a view to mitigating the effect of the sudden imposition of the
enhanced rates and in order to prevent the further discouragement of Indian
overland trade with Persia, which had already suffered a serious check by the
abnormal drought of two consecutive seasons and consequent transport dithcul-
ties the Government of India decided to grant to Indian traders a refund ot the
difference°between the enhanced duty actually levied on the Persian rentier
and the duty which would have been leviable under the old tariff, on all goods
which were despatched from Quetta, or collected there in the caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). for
export to Persia, before the 1st April 1903.
21 Such was the immediate effect of the new tariff; its actual effect on
British trade was somewhat difficult
Compensation to traders. ascer t a i n . Statistics published by the
Belgium Customs administration showed a rise in the value of British trade from
£2 300 000 in 1902-03 to £2,718,381 in 1903-04. On the other hand, figures
recorded at British and Indian ports and by British Consular officials in the