Page 627
Page 627
( 597 )
316
DIGEST OF EVIDENCE.
November 25, 1879.
Sir WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON, K.C.M.G., Governor of
the Straits Settlements.
Trade of Singapore.-The bulk of the trade between Europe, Japan, and China passes Singapore (5). Singapore is also the centre of a large and increasing local trade in European goods (7, 68-70, 194–201).
Imports and exports in 1877—
Singapore
Penang Malacca..
Total
£
19,285,592
8,176,763
732,074
28,194,429
Of this total, 11,216,6597, was British trade.
Revenue. The main sources of revenue, which is yearly increasing, are the opium monopolies-farmed to private individuals—and the sale of spirits, &c. (191, 210, 213).
Docks. Singapore has three docks: a large dock with store of coal at Tanjong Pagar; a dock in the new harbour; and a third not now in use (8, 196). The dock accommodation is sufficient to meet commercial
requirements (14). The docks are not much used by ships of war, except by the Dutch (9, 10).
Population in 1877—
Singapore
Penang and Province Wel-
lesley
Malacca
Europeans.
Chinese.
Malays and
Eurasians.
Indians, &c.
Total.
54,672 21,414 19,179 | 97,111
1,946
433
38,561 71,847
50
24,389 133,230 4,525 77,756
13,482 59,699
2,429 104,615 | 152,960 48,093 | 308,097
Defences. In March 1878 witness called the attention of the Colonial Office to 70,000 tons of coal lying undefended at Singapore. In April 1878 a local Defence Committee recommended the immediate mounting of four 68-pounders; 2,000l. were expended in carrying out the recommendations of the Committee. The Imperial Government then took over the works, expended 23,5001, and fairly defended the inner har- bour (18-25, 46-49). Most trading vessels lie in the outer roadstead, for want of space in the inner harbour ; further defences are therefore required, besides heavier armament for the batteries already constructed (26, 71, 72, 75, 77). Witness proposes 18-ton guns, and new works at Pulo Brani, St. John's, Tanjong Katong and Passir Panjang. He advocates the acquisition of an island on the south side of the straits. If the lights were extinguished, we could practically close the straits (25, 27, 42-45, 50). Does not anticipate difficulty in acquiring land for proposed works (25, 31, 33, 34, 41). None of the proposed modifications have been carried out since the expenditure of the Imperial Vote of 23,5001. (52, 53).
Apportionment of Cost.-No decision has been arrived at as to the apportionment of expense between the Colony and the Home Government (29, 54). Considers it would be fair if the Colony paid for works, and the Imperial Government maintained them and provided armaments. Anticipates considerable discussion when this subject comes before the Colonial Legislature (55–58, 63-66, 202–204).
[1108]
Gun-boats. The two gun-boats recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for the defence of Singapore have not been provided (75, 76, 78). There are generally two gun-boats at Singapore, but they are liable to be called away at any time (79-85) trustworthy crew could not be found in the Colony (86-93).
A
Garrison. There is an Imperial regiment in the Colony, distributed as follows (160, 161, 177–180):- Singapore, 5 companies; Penang, 2 companies; Malacca, 1 company. The troops at Penang and Malacca are used to repress internal dissensions, e.g., fights between the Chinese secret societies, which would probably overtax the powers of the native police (164- 166, 170). Witness would not at present advise the withdrawal of the troops from Penang and Malacca (168, 173, 174).
Local Levies.-The local force at Singapore consists of about 150 volunteers, chiefly Europeans, and the rest Eurasians. There are also about fifty at Penang (109-113). The Chinese are of a very low class. They are employed on the defence works, but would 107, 108, 121-124, 126, 127, 153, 154, 159). The be quite untrustworthy if enrolled as militia (97-100,
Malays make fair police, but would be useless as soldiers (134, 135, 184). A good militia might be formed by importing Indians, but the expense would be great. A Law for the control of such a body could be easily passed (114-116, 118, 128-133, 137-142, 154, 185, 187). Possibly a militia of 200 or 300 tolerably reliable men could be raised at Singapore in addition to the volunteers (147, 148).
Penang. It was decided that the whole of the Im- perial Vote should be spent at Singapore, and no steps have been taken for the defence of Penang (188, 189, 190, 193).
February 10, 1880. ALFRED HOLT, Esq., ship-owner, connected with lines of steamers to China, Brazil, the West Indies, &c. (214).
Development of Steamers. Steamers are rapidly increasing in numbers and power. They can now carry sufficient coal to take them to any port without coaling on the way, e.g., from Liverpool to China, round the Cape. Ships are being built to carry coal for 100 days' steaming. First-class steamers generally avail themselves of intermediate depôts, but can do without if necessary.
The amount of coal carried depends greatly on the space left available by cargo (242-249, 275, 287, 288, 356). Sailing-vessels are being rapidly superseded, and now carry little trade of value; even that is diminishing (217, 224, 231, 286, 371-374, 379-383).
Risk from Cruizers.For this reason English com- merce would not suffer from cruizers as American trade suffered from the "Alabama" (215). British steamers, by their superior powers of speed and endurance, would outstrip or evade almost any hostile cruizer. One of the Russian cruizers, for instance, built in the United States, appeared unfitted for a long cruize, and in- capable of doing much harm to our commerce (376). The risk would of course depend on the Power with which we were at war; but British commerce could only be seriously interfered with by a combination of adverse circumstances (216–223, 374, 375).
7 N
Page 627
Page 627
Page 627