Major events of this
period
The Straits Times, June 4, 1956Singapore's Chief Minister, Mr David Marshall, will resign his leadership of the Government after the next assembly meeting on Wednesday.
On his resigning, he is recommended by his party, the Labour Front, to advise the Governor, Sir Robert Black, to call on Mr Lim Yew Hock, now Minister for Labour and Welfare, to form a new coalition government.
The Straits Times, June 6, 195615 months of smiles and scowls in the career of Singapore's first Chief Minister
Mr David Marshall, who is tendering his resignation after today's Assembly session, has had a rough-and-tumble time as Singapore's first Chief Minister.
This diary of "outstanding" events shows the ups and downs of Mr Marshall over the past 15 months.
1955 April Jubilant Mr Marshall takes office as Chief Minister and Minister for Commerce. Causes sensation by wearing bush jacket at first Legislative Assembly meeting. Confident of future.
1955 May Riots by 2,000 students, strikers and hooligans. Three people killed. Mr Marshall in broadcast says: "The pattern of action of the demonstrators conform to Communist techniques."
1955 June Mr Marshall lays foundation stone of Colony's new $300,000 Adult Education Centre. Speaking of future, he says: "This Singapore of ours is on the move. Things are being set right."
1955 July Mr Marshall clashes with the Governor. Criticises Rendel Constitution. Complains about having to hold two portfolios. Seeks appointment of four junior Ministers. Threatens to resign.
1955 August Colonial Secretary, Mr Alan Lennox Boyd, arrives in Singapore. Hopes to solve crisis. Two weeks later, Governor agrees to accept advice in certain matters. Marshall happy.
1955 September Mr Marshall falls ill. All his public engagements are cancelled for three days. Despite his illness, however, he attends Government House talks on the future constitution.
1955 October Fighting fit again. Announces names of delegation to agenda-fixing talks in London. Labour Front reiterates its support for Marshall and adopts "merdeka" as the party slogan.
1955 November Mr Marshall speaks of "trouble" in Front. He says: "If the Opposition want me to resign, let them combine and throw me out. It is absurd for anyone to suggest that I should resign."
1955 December Mr Marshall in high spirits. Leaves for preliminary talks on constitutional conference. Says before departure on Dec 2: "... will discharge my duties adequately as goodwill ambassador."
1956 January Preliminary talks a success.But trouble ahead for the Chief Minister. Opposition parties threaten to boycott merdeka talks. Marshall plans all-party conference.
1956 February The Chief Minister is happy again. He has drawn up plans to invite British MPs to test Singapore's "feeling and capacity" for merdeka. He leaves for a holiday in Switzerland.
1956 March He returns from holiday. Predicts "greatest crisis" in Colony next month. Organises merdeka drive. Two weeks later riot breaks out at rally at old Kallang airport. Fifty injured.
1956 April Leaders of all-party merdeka delegation agree unanimously on constitutional memorandum. Marshall says: "It justifies our case for independence." Mr Marshall, jubilant, flies to London.
1956 May Merdeka talks fail on 16th. Mr Marshall says it's day of mourning. Following day, he makes surprise move to re-open negotiations. No success . Returning delegates say "Marshall must go".
1956 June Today's Legislative Assembly meeting will be Mr Marshall's last as Chief Minister. He has declared that he will resign after this session because "I have failed in my merdeka mission".
Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.
Previous