Chapter 3: Impact of British and External Developments on Singapore’s Growth as a Port City (1819-1942)

Singapore’s Free Port Status

• Year established: 1819
• Characteristics:
  • Traders could trade freely without paying tax.
  • Became a transshipment point and entrepot trade center.
  • Centrally located and tax-free for East-West trade.

Transshipment

• Entrepot: Transfer of goods from one ship to another at the port.
• Activities: Repackaging and redistribution of imported goods and regional produce.

British Rule (1819-1824)

• Nominal Rule: Sultan and Temenggong (local chief).
• British Control through Residents:
  • William Farquhar
  • Stamford Raffles
  • John Crawfurd
• 1824: Transfer of control to the East India Company (EIC).

End of EIC Rule

• Decline: Since the 1830s due to the collapse of the tea trade.
• Financial Issues: Inability to fund the Straits Settlements.
• 1857: Indian Mutiny led to British government taking over India.
• Administration: Straits Settlements under Indian administration.

Singapore as Crown Colony (1867)

• Transfer: Control moved to the Colonial Office in London.
• Reason: Shift from a profit-driven company (EIC) to British governance with a civilizing mission.

Governance Structure

• Executive and Legislative Councils:
  • Role: Law making, British officials, non-official members nominated by the British including Asian merchants and traders.

Singapore as a Port-City (19th-20th Century)

• Impact of Free Port Status:
  • Brought significant trade and immigrant influx.
  • By 1867, Chinese community comprised 65% of the population (~55,000).
  • Immigrants were mainly escaping war, famine, and poverty in China.
• Concerns:
  • Maintaining law and order due to crimes like robberies and murders.

British Measures to Maintain Law and Order (1819-1942)

Problems Faced Post-1819

• Labour Abuse of Coolies
• Secret Society Problems
• Prostitution
• Piracy

British Efforts Pre-1867

• EIC and India Office Efforts: Limited due to financial constraints and focus on profit.

British Efforts Post-1867

• Crown Colony Efforts (1867-1942):
  • Administration: Governor of the Straits Settlement reported to Colonial Office in London, aided by executive and legislative councils.
  • Police Reforms:
    • Commissioner of Police (1857): Thomas Dunman, improved working conditions to attract police force recruits.

Education and Healthcare (1819-1942)

Education (1819-1867)

• British Approach:
  • Few services provided due to lack of funds and low settlement interest.
  • Education left to Christian missionaries and European traders.

Education (1867-1942)

• Government Involvement:
  • Promoted English as the medium of instruction to support administrative needs.
  • Non-governmental agencies handled other educational aspects.

Healthcare Issues

• Diseases: Tuberculosis, Cholera, Malaria
• British Efforts: Mixed effectiveness depending on resource availability and prioritization.

Port Facilities (1819-1942)

• Improvements: Began in the 1850s with trade expansion and steamships.
• New Harbour (1852): Enabled better docking and protection.
• Further Developments: New wharves, docks, and railways linking to Malaya.

External Developments

Suez Canal

• Opened: 1869
• Impact: Reduced travel time; quicker connection from London to Singapore.

Tin and Rubber Industries

• Impact: Economic development in Malaya and increased global demand.

The Great Depression (1929)

• Impact: Economic hardships affecting trade and industries in Singapore.