"Although colonies are often viewed as having been of crucial economic importance to Britain's empire, those responsible for administering the colonies were often not at all interested in or supportive of commercial ventures, as this book demonstrates. Based on extensive original research, and...

The earliest times, 1786-1850 -- Taking root, 1850s-1870s -- Straits politics and trade infrastructure, 1867-1873 -- Opening the peninsula, 1874-1896 -- Currency and banking -- Rapid economic growth and change, 1896-1914 -- Merchant firm 1: Guthrie & Co. -- Merchant firm 2: Boustead & Co. --...