Economic and military relations between Australia and Singapore : with special reference to the period 1941-59

Abstract

Very few writers have attempted to write anything about the relations of these two countries despite the fact that very close relations have existed throughout their history. Beside the reason that sources on this are extremely scarce,a more important reason is that Singapore is a comparatively new nation. Singapore attained full independence only on 9 August, 1965; and the history of Singapore before this is somewhat obscure especially to many Australians. This thesis will,however,attempt to reveal the various contacts and relations between these two countries from the early 1 9 th. century, and will place particular emphasis on discussing and analysing the development of economic and military relations. The relations between these two countries can be broadly divided into three periods; before 1 9 0 0 ; 1901-41; and 1941-59— before the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia; from the beginning of the Commonwealth of Australia to the eve of the Pacific War; and from the beginning of the Pacific War to the attainment of self-government of Singapore respectively. The thesis will however focus upon the last period, which represents the most dynamic and important period of Australia-Singapore relations.