FRASER, R David
Economic Development of Singapore,
Accession Number 001240
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 10
Total Reels
- Lim Boon Seong
Interviewer
- 04:44:15
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 10
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Personal background. Description of mercantilist system. Employment with Harper Gilfillan Company and initial difficulties encountered. Essential roles of senior Chinese clerk. Origin and operation of Harper Gifillan Company. Cornering of pepper market in 1930. Frank Atkinson's chairmanship and the business coordination. Produce trading (rubber, pepper and coffee) in 1950s. Restriction on speculation. Korean War boom. Singapore operation and business objectives.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 10
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Corporate culture. Business management. Elaboration on produce, tin and textile trading. Organisational structure of Harper Gilfillan Company. Operational coordination among divisions and branches. Frank Atkinson's textile speciality. Capital structure. Personnel management. Criteria and process of recruitment for expatriate and local exployees. Small European club forming extended families in Harper Gilfillan Company. Relationship with W H C Bailey, Frank Atkinson, John Sibree.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 10
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Cordial interaction among European staff. Loyalties among Harper Gilfillan Company's staff. In-service training. Business control and feedback. Judging market supply and demand. Accounting practices, budgeting and forecasting. Business expansion. Outline of history of Singapore business life. Effects of continual crisis on agency houses' conduct of business. Investment philosophy adopted by Harper Gilfillan Company. Unique business styles and operation.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 10
Metadata
- 7 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Harper Gilfillan Company's relationship with Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. Intermediary between producing and manufacturing region. Dealt with rubber packers and contractors in produce side. Source of supply. Trading terms. Acting as broker for rubber packers. Verbal business contract.Trading strategies. Credit rating. Bills operations and trade settlement.How Harper Gilfillan acted as banker.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 10
Metadata
- 7 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Trading with Thailand, Burma, Sumatra and Indonesia. Business strategies. Frauds in business. London produce market for rubber, illipe nuts, pepper, coffee and tea. Exchange rate in various countries. Risks and risk management. Market structure and strategies. Turnover and profit margin. Compradore system in earlier times. Roles of wholesalers and dealers.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 10
Metadata
- 7 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Spreading credits to wide range of dealers. Reasons for being Malayan business orientated. Singapore acted as operational headquarters. Provision of shipping, warehousing, handling of cargoes, credit facilities. Relationship with Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). John Sibree's personality and leadership. Frank Atkinson, W H C Bailey and Desmond Brown as Harper Gilfillan Company's chairman.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 10
Metadata
- 10 May 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Changes in European agency houses over the years. Korean War boom. Cash strategies adopted. Age gap between directors and junior expatriate staff. Rises and outcomes of decolonisation movement. Business adaptation towards Indonesian Confrontation. European agency houses less involved in Vietnam. Effects of new economic policies. Bumiputra's participation and Malayanisation programmes. Business adjustment.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 10
Metadata
- 10 May 1991
Recording Date
- 00:32:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Peak and trough periods of European agency houses. Business climate and commercial life in Singapore and Malaysia. Interactions between European agency houses and local business community. Roles and activities of Tanglin Cluband Cricket Club. Interchange of credit information - Credit Rating Agency. Business entertainment. No public relation department in earlier times. Roles, functions and contributions of International Chamber of Commerce.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 10
Metadata
- 10 May 1991
Recording Date
- 00:29:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Comments on empire trade. Differences in doing business in Malaysia, Singapore and United Kingdom. Major contributions of European agency houses. Problems faced. Assessment on European agency houses' performance in Malaysia and Singapore. Prospects of surviving European agency houses. Elaboration ofJapanese trading companies and the resurgence of Japanese economy. Lessons learnt. Memorable things that European agency houses offered.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 10
Metadata
- 10 May 1991
Recording Date
- 00:05:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His conclusions on European agency houses.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
