Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1920. THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1920. THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSIA.

Much interesting information, several helpful suggestions, and something more than a little optimistic for British commercial enterprise is contained in an article by Air C. A. Walpole, 0.8. E., in the “Asiatic Review,” dealing with war and post-war developments in Persia. The prospects in that country appear to be exceedingly bright now that Persia has decided to put her house in order', and with the establishment of railways, which must come at no distant date if Persia is to have permanent development on a large scale, her large natural resources should begin to be widely opened up, while considerable impetus should be given to those already developing. Grain from the rich and fertile districts around Dizful and' Jerrahi in the north could be transported by rail to the Persian Gulf at a cost even less than that of grain shipped from Bombay or Karachi, while for the economical and quick distribution of oil and other merchandise, as well as for the development of industries generally, both for internal consumption and export, railways are a necessity. In the meantime, as a temporary measure, pending the completion of railways, the use of motor lorries will be of value in carrying on the existing trade. The question of labour, while a difficult one, should not be a cause for great concern, as Mr Walpole points out that the importation in times past of many thousands of workers from India by the Ahglo-Persian Oil Company has been quite satisfactory, and every effort is also being made, in both official and commercial circles, to encourage and utilise local labour. Another important question is that of dredging the Shat-el-Arab bar, which is more than seven miles in extent, and is a severe thorn in the. side of all shipping entering the ports of Basrah, Mohammerah and Abadan. As matters stand at present a 6,000 to 8,000 ton cargo ship is delayed anything up to ten days, or roughly onethird of the time it would take for such a ship to perform the entire journey from Basrah to a British port if no bar existed. The importance of this needs no emphasis in view of the acute competition for trade supremacy among the nations and, inasmuch as opinions show that the work of removing the bar would be neither unduly costly nor lengthy, the sooner it receives attention the better it will be for British commercial enterprise in that quarter of the world. In regard to Southern Persia, the prospects are good. With Russian influence removed, and with the disappearance of dishonest German competition, there is an exceptionally fine field for British trade. In times past, in spite of her resources being little known, her bad communications, and the lack of established law and order, trading with Persia hns steadily developed, and now that these deficiencies are about to be remedied by means of the understanding arrived at under the new British Persian Agreement, a period of great development for Persia and mutual prosperity may be anticipated. It is gratifying to note that not by, any means the least assuring factor for the fulfilment of this anticipation is the friendly personal relations that exist, between the Englishman and the Persian.