Chapter 148: Government Annual Report Meeting
Of course, before National Day arrived, the Australian government had another very important meeting, which was the annual government report summary.
At this time every year, the work and achievements of each department and all officials were evaluated, and it could even decide whether they could remain in their positions during the next election.
Although political competition in Australia wasn't intense, these ministers had a good chance of being re-elected if they didn't make mistakes.
However, there was an X factor: Arthur's attitude. As the practical Duke of Australia, Arthur had the power to appoint cabinet members. If these officials were deemed incompetent or lazy, causing dissatisfaction from Arthur, they could lose their positions, which would be a significant loss.
After all, although Australia had a low international reputation, it was a vast country with millions of square kilometers of territory and a population in the millions. Being a minister or a cabinet member in such a country was far more powerful than being an ordinary official.
Moreover, it was easier to become extravagant than to return to frugality. These officials, after tasting the immense power of being cabinet members, would find it difficult to give up that power, which felt like cutting a piece of flesh from their hearts.
As a result, the cabinet members took the annual government report meeting very seriously. They not only summarized all the achievements made by their respective departments over the past year but also gathered a lot of information and laid out clear plans for the next year.
On December 31, 1902, the last day of the year, it was time for Australia's cabinet government to hold its annual summary report meeting.
Early in the morning of this day, several cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Evan, arrived at the meeting room. Each of them held their prepared materials and carefully studied them, fearing they might forget some data.
If Arthur suddenly asked about the data from their departments and they didn't know, it would be a major embarrassment.
A person who didn't know the data of their own department—couldn't that be seen as incompetent or derelict in duty?
At 8 a.m., Arthur arrived punctually at the meeting room on the top floor of the National Affairs Building.
Everyone immediately stood up to greet him, and only upon his gesture did they sit down.
"Everyone, 1902 has come to its last day, and we are about to welcome the new year, 1903. Likewise, our cabinet government has completed a full year of work, and I'm sure there have been many achievements. Now is the time for all of us to evaluate the results of the government's work. Prime Minister Evan, you can start by introducing the general achievements of the cabinet government so that everyone can understand the changes in Australia," Arthur said directly after everyone had seated.
"Yes, Your Highness." Prime Minister Evan nodded slightly, took his prepared report, and walked to the center podium of the circular conference table.
"Your Highness, ladies and gentlemen. Looking at the year 1902, Australia's most remarkable change has been in industry and economy. In the industrial sector, our steel production, industrial zones, and the number of factories, large, medium, and small, have continued to rise, and in some aspects, we are now comparable to some of the smaller European countries. Of course, our goals are far beyond this, and Australia's development in various areas must continue to progress vigorously," Prime Minister Evan began.
"Regarding industrial changes, I'd like to have Minister Pierre of the Industrial Department provide more details. This has been one of the most significant changes for Australia," Prime Minister Evan said as he turned his attention to Minister Pierre.
"I am at your service." Minister Pierre smiled and nodded before stepping up to temporarily take Prime Minister Evan's place at the podium.
"Your Highness, Prime Minister, fellow colleagues. Looking back at 1902, Australia's industrial changes have been revolutionary. If, a year ago, we had just begun to develop some industrial capacity, then now we can be considered a preliminary industrial nation," Minister Pierre began, unfazed and confidently presenting his prepared data.
"First, the most noticeable and significant change has been in our steel production. Last year, our steel production reached 61,000 tons and 93,000 tons, which allowed us to compete with some European countries," Minister Pierre reported. "Now, we have far surpassed those numbers, with our steel production reaching 263,100 tons and 422,200 tons, respectively. This represents a growth of 3.8 times and 4.5 times. In terms of steel production, we are now one-sixth of France's and one-thirtieth of Germany's."
One-sixth of France's and one-thirtieth of Germany's—was that something to be ashamed of? Not at all, in fact, it was an honor.
After all, these two countries—one had been the former European hegemon, and the other was now the central European power and second strongest country in the world.
These countries already had fairly established industrial systems, and their industrial strength was undoubtedly at the level of a major power.
Although France's decline had been very apparent, Australia's steel production reaching one-sixth of France's was a clear testament to how rapidly Australia's industrial development had progressed.
When the Duchy of Australia was first established, the total steel output was less than 10,000 tons.
And in just over two years since Arthur came to Australia, steel production had skyrocketed to more than 260,000 tons, and total steel output had exceeded 680,000 tons.
This level even surpassed that of Japan, which had undergone decades of modernization and industrialization. In terms of steel output, Australia could already be considered one of the top fifteen in the world.
Of course, this ranking was somewhat exaggerated, as the industrial scale of any major power was several times, if not dozens of times, that of Australia.
Hearing about the impressive results in steel production, Arthur nodded in satisfaction.
Australia's growing industrial development needed a large amount of steel, and the current steel production was just enough to meet domestic development needs.
For a country with abundant mineral resources, Australia's industrial scale could only grow larger.
With adequate mineral resources, Arthur expected Australia's industry to reach the level of a major power.
Seeing that Arthur had no further questions, Minister Pierre continued, "Currently, our industrial zones have increased by three more, bringing the total to five. These five zones are located in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria. New South Wales, due to its larger population, is currently the only state with two industrial zones."
The establishment of industrial zones had previously been determined based on the population of each state. Especially in states like Tasmania, which had a smaller population, setting up industrial zones wasn't deemed necessary for the time being.
(End of Chapter)
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