Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎383v] (771/1028)

economics strictly alone and it does indeed appear that the Central Government
has yet to learn the rudiments of political economy.
If the year proved had for things Persian, it had no better complexion from
the point of view of British and Indian trade. Russian competition which had
been foreshadowed in 1928, materialised in the visits of 5 Russian steamers to
Bushire. As a result the piece-goods trade of Bushire, Shiraz and Isfahan
passed almost wholly over to Moscow. Indeed, so cheap, so attractive, and
so fastly dyed are the Russian cottons that the British product has been rivalled
in quality as well as defeated in price. The Russians had, in addition, by the
end of the year secured a temporary monopoly of the sugar trade by a policy
of dumping. Although they grant extensive credits (2-3 months) in nearly all
their sales, and although their goods are popular, their habit of undercutting
the local trader renders them unsatisfactory to deal with and personally un
popular with the merchants. That their commerce is based on political rather
than economic motives is as true as ever and is thoroughly appreciated by the
Bushiri.
The Russians, whose steamers unloaded little hut sugar and piece-goods
were not competitors in tea, and the market remained much as in 1928. It is*
however, probable that the Customs statistics will show a falling off in imports
of this commodity owing to the general economic situation.
2. Communications .—Means of communication have improved. Motor
transport has been plentiful throughout the twelve month and Bushire is served
by Imperial Airways, while the Junkers Air Service from Tehran is now
bi-weekly in each direction. Both these latter services arrived on the whole
regularly, though the Imperial Airways Service was often behind schedule.
Motor transport was, however, immobilized for a period of 3-4 months by the
Qashgai revolt and for a further period of one month by the damage caused to
the Shiraz road by rain.
As a result of the excess of transport in Bushire rates of hire fell even
lower than in 1928 (T. 130 per Kharvar to Shiraz was quoted in April) and the
fact that the North Persian market was already overstocked with motor vehicles
ultimately led to heavy reshipments from this port.
.Animal transport preserved its precarious existence and came into its own
again in December when the road was closed to motors. None the less there
can be little doubt that the heritage of the camel, mule and donkey will in a few
years time pass wholly to the motor, provided always that the present roads are
not allowed to deteriorate.
Little or no work was done to the Shiraz road and the track across the
M a slid eh remained as bad as ever. The journey to Shiraz by motor, now occu
pying from 2-3 days could probably be shortened to 12 hours if a real attempt
weie made to metal and regrade the kotals. Such an attempt appears highlv
improbable and until it comes, however, many motors are available, the ameni
ties of transport will remain much as they are now.
3. Sccuriiy.—The word “ Security ” has a bitter ring when applied to (he
ushne district m 1929. Suffice to say that from Mav-July the Qashgai revolt
disturbed the whole of Southern Persia and closed the Bushire-Shiraz road to
. transport. Minor disturbances followed the settlement of the Qashgai ques
tion and duung the autumn months robberies were frequent in the neighbour-
100(1 °f Goiasjun, nor could the road be said to have become safe when the vear
went out.
4. Smuggling. In the early part of the year smuggling was rife, and the
Customs Pre\ entive Service seemed unable to control matters. Later with the
use m the foreign exchange and the approach of winter a necessary decrease
ensued ana little was heard of the activities of smugglers in Bushire itself.
o. I ostal Facilities. These have improved. The bi-weekly Junkers aero
plane service has rendered communication with Shiraz, Isfahan and Tehran
lapid ai id frequent, while Imperial Airways provide similar facilities between
-Hushire, Karachi, Basrah and Baghdad, though only once a week.
a ^ ovei ] nmer h maintain a motor postal service between Bushire
ana the .North and mails leave, three times a week. This service of necessity
ceased to 1 unction when the Shiraz road was closed.
I he Biitish India Steamers have not changed their service in any way.
6. Foreign Commercial Enterprise .—The outstanding foreign commercial
enterpiise is the Junker’s Air Service. This service, worked by single engined
a metal monoplanes and possessing little or no ground organisation, main
tains a connection between Bushire, Shiraz, Isfahan and Tehran in all but the