The Straits Settlements 1867-1874

Abstract

The period 1867 to 1874 has hitherto been regarded either as an epilogue to India Office rule in the Straits Settlements or as a prologue to British intervention in the Malay States. Such a view has tended to obscure the painful process of transforming the Straits Settlements from a distant outpost of India to the newest Crown Colony of Britain; of replacing a quaint and informal administration with an efficient and somewhat formal government more suited to the future expansion of British interests in the area. The present study attempts to trace some of the major changes introduced not only in the political and constitutional realms but in the social and economic areas as well. However, the study is by no means a complete survey of the development of the Straits Settlements during the years 1867 to 1874. Agriculture and land tenure are not discussed in detail since many of the problems associated with these were resolved much later. Currency reforms were minor and material on these are therefore included in the appendices. The appendices also include material on security and defence. The weaknesses in the defence arrangements against external attacks were realised. However, little priority was given to improving the defence since an external attack was considered only as a remote possibility. On the other hand, for internal security, the Police Force was completely reorganised and expanded although further changes were needed, especially in the calibre of men entering certain ranks, in order to make the force an efficient one. The external relations of the Straits Settlements, especially with the Malay States, has been a topic ably dealt with by several eminent scholars. Consequently, in the present work, the topic is omitted although some reference to it is made in the concluding chapter.