Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Population Issues and Indigenous Labor

Translator: 549690339 |

“Your Highness, the current number of workers and laborers in Australia determines that we cannot carry out large-scale railway and highway construction projects. Therefore, our main goal last year was to repair the streets and roads in various cities and build connecting roads between important areas and cities.” Minister Conwright stood up to answer.

The construction of roads can be regarded as a major project, especially in Australia where the terrain is relatively complex.

Moreover, the lack of population continues to be a disadvantage, leading to insufficient manpower for extensive road construction.

This has resulted in the main focus of the Transportation Department being the renovation of existing urban roads and, at most, the construction of connecting roads between industrial areas and other crucial regions.

Arthur nodded with a slight headache, and his brow furrowed unavoidably.

Population is currently one of the most critical factors limiting Australia’s development. Although immigrants from Europe can alleviate this problem, they cannot completely solve it.

Australia lacks, or rather desperately needs a large number of lower-class people to serve as labor for its industrial development and various constructions.

European immigrants mostly assume the roles of ordinary citizens, and if they are too severely exploited, it might reduce their recognition of and loyalty to the country, affecting social stability.

It is necessary to introduce a large, exploitable population from abroad to improve the conditions for Australia’s industry and development.

At present, apart from Australia’s own New Guinea, the Dutch East India Colony in Southeast Asia is the nearest location to address Australia’s labor problem.

With only about 900,000 indigenous people, New Guinea can partially resolve the labor shortage. However, complete resolution still depends on colonies like the Dutch East Indies, which are home to tens of millions of indigenous people.

The Dutch East India Colony boasts vast land areas, and unlike Australia, it has a large indigenous population, conservatively estimated to be close to forty million.

However, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which governs this region, has only just over five million people, not much more than Australia.

Worse still, the Dutch homeland is too far away from the Dutch East Indies, causing the Dutch to control only a few important areas like Java Island and Kalimantan Island rather than the entire region.

The reason for the Dutch maintaining control over this land is not only the support of the British Empire but also the balance of power policies of several great powers.

Of course, in the short term, Arthur’s goal is not to seize this land. He does not want to stir up trouble before Europe is embroiled in war.

However, the purchase of some indigenous peoples is a hopeful endeavor.

Since the people of the Dutch East Indies have their own religion and culture, it is not easy for the Dutch to rule them,

Moreover, the vast indigenous population is a burden on Dutch rule; transforming this bloated population into a certain income can also be a good choice.

With this in mind, Arthur looked at Foreign Minister Andrew and instructed, “Minister Andrew, make every effort to communicate with the Dutch and see if we can introduce some native peoples from the Dutch East Indies. If the Dutch agree, we can sign a treaty to import indigenous peoples, paying them handsomely in funds and supporting Dutch rule in the East Indies.”

Australia, owing to its proximity to Southeast Asia, is a unique influence on the region’s balance of power. It can always infiltrate its power into Southeast Asia. Moreover, Australia’s relationships with the United Kingdom and Germany are unusual. If it wants to affect the situation in Southeast Asia, particularly the Dutch rule in the Dutch East Indies, it may well succeed.

Therefore, Arthur’s commitment is good news for the Dutch. After all, the resource-rich and affluent Dutch East Indies brings considerable annual income to the Dutch government, and of course they do not want to lose this land.

“Yes, Your Highness, I will get in touch with the Dutch as soon as possible,” replied Minister Andrew, understanding Arthur’s intention immediately.

Due to huge population shortfalls, it would take a long time for Australia to develop in an orderly manner.

However, if a large number of indigenous people can be introduced to contribute to Australia’s construction, the efficiency of Australia’s construction and development can be greatly improved.

Although doing so may result in hundreds of thousands or even millions of indigenous deaths, who would care?

Looking at each European power and colonial country, the rise of any powerful country is accompanied by bloody oppression and exploitation.

Being able to shift such losses onto non-native peoples is a good thing for both Australia and the Australian people.

“The Transportation Department’s mission this year is to build highways connecting all states. This will be the department’s main task for the next few years. I hope we can strengthen the connection between our states through new roads, and improve Australia’s transportation and economic development,” Arthur continued.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Minister Conwright nodded earnestly.

“Has the industrial sector completed its tasks? I remember that we were asked to triple our steel production. Have we reached that standard?” Arthur turned his gaze to Minister of Industry Pierre and asked.

Arthur was referring to the industrial three-year plan laid out at the time.

According to Arthur’s requirements, the industrial sector must triple Australia’s annual steel production of 3,700 tons and iron production of 5,000 tons by 1899, so that steel and iron production eventually reach 100,000 tons and 140,000 tons or more, respectively.

It has been a year since the plan was drafted. In accordance with the plan, steel and iron production should have reached 11,000 tons and 15,000 tons, respectively.

“Your Highness, although only a little over six months have passed since the plan was made, the industrial sector has basically completed the tasks assigned. In terms of steel production, our newly built industrial areas have met our expectations for steel production. The annual steel production of our steel plants in the industrial areas has surpassed 13,000 tons and 19,000 tons, slightly exceeding the target. With the construction of industrial areas and the addition of more workers, we hope that our steel production will reach 40,000 tons and 50,000 tons or more by the end of the year,” Minister of Industry Pierre said with a smile.

The industrial sector is one of the most important and task-intensive departments in Australia. Yet, due to the 50 million pounds’ worth of industrial equipment Arthur brought from Britain, the development of industry has not been as difficult as imagined.

Especially after receiving aid from Britain and Germany, the development of industry has entered a smooth period.

All that is needed is to combine British and German industrial development technologies and experiences with Australia’s actual situation to ensure the successful development of Australian industry..