'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the year 1932' [‎543r] (61/73)

53
Tlie years 1929 >30 and -31 were all bad seasons and many of the smaller
pearl merchants and boat-owners were ruined during these years
The year 1932 threatened to be even worse than the previous" three as there
appeared no signs that Europe and America would buy pearls and there w» »
widespread pessimism at the commencement of the season. d ™
°nt of 700 pearling boats possessed by Kuwait only 250 were able to nut to
sea. Those departed at the end of May and during the'first week in June P The
“: or .°* th c e was r&Z
• Gullal or official closing of the season was fixed by the Ruler for 23rd Sep
tember and rim latter proceeded to the banks in person to give the signal to close
the “ dive .
There was some trouble among the sailors and divers of the Town at the com
mencement of the Pearl Season over the question of the “ Salef ” (advances)
which the\ aio always entillcd to for the support of their families during their
absence. The desperate state of the pearl boat-owners due to severe lack of
money forced these to arrange a combine with a view to cutting down the amount
of money advances which it was customary for them to give. The divers natu
rally objected strongly and refused to puUo sea unless adequate assistance was
given them. They maintained and with justice that their families must have suffi
cient to support themselves with during their 4 months’ absence. The Shaikh
v r as forced to intervene and by public proclamation made on 25th May ordered
that Rs. 37 should be given to each “ diver ” (ghais) as his advance, and Rs. 32
to each “ hauler ” (Saib) during 1932. This though little enough, was far better
than the boat-owners were prepared to give. In the various discussions that
took place between the Ruler and the Nakhudas (Captains of boats) over this
vexed question, the Shaikh very wisely took the side of the divers and this final
decision was accepted as fair.
Fortunately for Kuwait the pearl season of 1932 turned out better than it
has been for the last three years ; though still nowffiere near wdiat it should be.
There was a fair demand for second and third class pearls in India as well as
for pearls of large and perfect quality. Speaking generally also the 1932 catch
was mostly sold. Where merchants w^ere hit, however, was their continued
failure to get rid of their 1929, ’30, ’31 stock of pearls. These w^ere bought for
high prices and naturally no merchant wanted to sell these for less than he gave
hence all held on, hoping for something better in 1933.
This means, of course, locked np capital and almost certain eventual Jo^^,
unless there is a “ miracle boom ” in the pearl market in the near future. It
must not be forgotten that the value of pearls depreciates according to the num
ber of years pearls remain unsold.
The Shaikh stated again that he wms seriously contemplaiing asking Ids
Majesty's (lovernment to call a conference of representatives of Kuwmit, Bahrain,
Qatar and SaTidiyah with a view to conserve the oyster resources of the upper
end of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Arab Littoral).
His view is that for a start the Rulers of the aboyementioned States should
agree together to ban the “ Khanchiyah ” and “ Radda dives ; that is to sa\
prevent the small fleets of amateurs proceeding to the banksfor a month^r tffiee
weeks previous to and immediately after the gre t
sent is the universal practice.
T x 1 if -ninr, n *c a success the same Rulers may be persuaded to
Later on and if the , f t in periods to enable them to recover,
leave certain banks entirely alone tor c P • 1 f ent visits 0 f
v „
m -i f “1“ 1SS Sffg&SUi 5»»i”
Electric Plant sanctioned by the G , , ^ f Bombay and Calcutta. On
house was finally erected by a^d lights and fans started
31st May official trials and tests ^e , , y Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Medical Officer’s
working as from the 1st June 19 ^. ^ ^ was indeed' a “ Red Letter ”
dlTfor'riicTgoney : ^ Srovions^oals paraffin lamps and hand-pulled pun-
khas bad been the order.
nent
()) New Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Building^— was started by tlie Public WoyksDep
on the Now Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. m Kuwartm August ot
leni on me incw -*■ .... i \
Biter day in the Annals of the Political A 0 en 3.