"ملف 8/8 II التقارير الإدارية السنوية لوكالة البحرين" [و‎‎٩‎١] (٧٢٠/١٨١)

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T A
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A settlement of the differences between Qatar and
Bahrain would prevent malcontents in Qatar both from the
Shaikhly family and from the remnants of the tribes in
the west from playing off one Ruler against the other in
the hone of personal benefit.
d) Relations between the Company and th e Shaikhs
Considerable tact is necessary to maintain amicable
relations. The Shaikh and the heir-apparent control
recruitment and security. It is necessary to realize, ir
the position is to be understood, that the shaikhs are by
no means content to draw the annual oil monies and wait
for the large oil royalties of the future.
They are out to control directly or indirectly for
personal benefit every branch of the Company’s activities
from the engagement of a labourer to the hire of a launch
or the giving out of a building contract.
The Company has retained with some difficulty the right
to pay its Qatari employees in full at the pay table and all
attempts to involve the Company in pay deductions in respect
of Qatar taxes have so far been resisted.
By the end of 1940, in spite of sucn difficulties, it
had become apparent that the early suspicion had been dis
pelled and the Shaikh had implicit confidence in the
integrity and good faith of the Company. It is also clear
that, according to Arab standards, he considers that he is
co-operating whole-heartedly with the Company, ne
obviously genuinely surprised when, on occasion,he realizes
that his efforts to associate himself more closely with the
Company’s work are more embarrassing than welcome.
Foreign personnel in the camps have few contacts with
the locals and the Shaikh has had singularly little to
complain about in their behaviour.
2. TRUCIAL COAST KXPIOR/iTION - 1940 .
(a) Geological Exploration .
Owing to conditions created by the war, previous plans
to send geological and geophysical parties to the Trucial
Coast in 1940 were cancelled and the various Rulers notified
to this effect. In all oases the Rulers replied that the
reasons for postponement were fully appreciated, and hopes
for an early British victory were expressed.
(b) Relations with the Shaikhs
The Company maintain a house at Dubai and a Company’s
representative from Bahrain (usually Mr. B. H. Lemitte)
based on this house visits the various Shaikhs periodically.
The Shaikhs in many cases use these contacts to press for
large advances of concession payments or presents of oars.
Amicable relations are, however, maintained without
acceding to these requests.
The Rulers of Dubai and Sharjah use the Eastern Bank,
Bahrain, and the Company’s transactions with them are
facilitated thereby.