CHARTON, Alan
Economic Development of Singapore,
Accession Number 001243
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 8
Total Reels
- Ho Yuen Keng
Interviewer
- 03:41:42
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 8
Metadata
- 4 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:29:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Personal background. Employed by Boustead as mercantile assistant. Nature of work. Working conditions. Boustead's working philosophy. Promoted to branch manager. Daily routine in both trading and shipping department. Origin and operation of Boustead. Monopolies of agency houses in different areas during pre-world period.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 8
Metadata
- 4 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Further elaboration of monopolies of agency houses. Description of trading system in old days. Type of business activities over the years. Function of agency house. Joint venture with manufacturers. Business changes and expansion. Organisational structure of Boustead.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 8
Metadata
- 11 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:29:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Employment of other ethnic groups in Boustead. Treatment received from the company. Free accomodation in company-owned properties. Duties as branch manager. Roles played by Boustead and other agency houses during British Military Administration (BMA). Work in rubber plantations. Requirements for mercantile assistant. Tour contract for first four years. Competition among mercantile assistants. Open appraisal system.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 8
Metadata
- 11 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:28:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Certain rules laid down by agency houses in earlier periods. Capital structure of Boustead. Recruitment of staff and career development. Staff welfare such as bonus and profit-sharing, etc. Partnership system in pre-1960s.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 8
Metadata
- 11 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:28:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Recruitment of mercantile assistants abolished in late 1960s. Boustead's management style. Business feedback. Changes in business style. Why agency houses no longer serve the need of people. How Boustead coped with competition. Business expansion of Boustead from 1946 to present. Interested in acting as agent for Yeo Hiap Seng in overseas markets.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 8
Metadata
- 18 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Sourcing of native produce. Types of contract used. Terms of trade. Risk involved. How they coped with products and market risk. Changes in business trends. Changes in market structure. Types of native produce traded. Handling of cargoes. Used banking facilities. Sources of capital.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 8
Metadata
- 18 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:29:27
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Interaction with other ethnic group traders. Products imported from overseas. Reasons for Yeo Hiap Seng's success. Closing down of produce department in 1960s. Risks involved in tin trading. International Tin Council. Avoided taking financial risk. Singapore's success as service centre. Boustead's growth. Contributions of agency houses.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 8
Metadata
- 18 Feb 1991
Recording Date
- 00:14:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Acting as agents for British banks in early periods. Interaction with its counterparts. Problem faced during immediate post-war. Talked about barter trade. Side effects of separation from Malaysia. Prospect of Boustead.
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