The Rise of Australasia

Chapter 647 -493: Maritime Protection Convention

There was a small town near the Golden Coast, and considering the coast’s global renown and beautiful scenery, turning this small town into an urban city seemed like a sound choice.

While becoming an internationally renowned tourist destination is largely a positive thing, it’s inevitable that some drawbacks, both expected and unexpected, would accompany it.

Of all these, Arthur placed the highest importance on the preservation of the beach environment.

The Golden Coast’s fame can be largely attributed to its stunning landscape, coupled with the efforts of Australasian Government in its promotion.

Regardless of these promotional efforts, the Golden Coast would have inevitably become widely known and retain its status as a famous international tourist hub.

Most beautiful tourist spots in Australasia are coastal beaches and islands, essential contributors to the continent’s overall marine ambiance.

On his visits to the Golden Coast, Arthur has made repeated requests to the Queensland State Government to strictly protect the coastline environment and safeguard Australasia’s assets.

Not only did he ask the Queensland State Government, but Arthur also demanded that the Cabinet Government instate laws to protect the marine environment. Any actions causing damage to the marine environment would be deemed illegal and face severe governmental penalties.

At Arthur’s demand, The Australasian Marine Environment Protection Act was freshly implemented and immediately put into effect.

Patrolling fleets in the Australasian waters were assigned an additional task – to oversee the coast and intervene with any disruptive activities towards the marine environment.

Marine conservation cannot depend on a single individual or country, it needs the collective efforts of all nations worldwide.

However, it’s apparent that some countries are deaf to reason and indulgently prioritize their interests.

Arthur wouldn’t want to see his descendants face any issues stemming from marine pollution.

Moreover, being a purely oceanic country, Australasian’s wealth is defined by its numerous islands and archipelagoes. Every facet of Australasian’s interest heavily depends on the ocean.

Therefore, Arthur doesn’t want to see severe marine pollution, and he will not allow it.

The solution to prevent marine pollution is simple – deal with any individuals or countries that might cause it.

For this purpose, Arthur specifically communicated with the British Empire, supporting their every action in the Kingdom of Hungary in exchange for the British Empire’s consent to sign the Marine Environment Protection Convention.

At the World Alliance’s routine meeting in June, the Australasian representative passionately voiced their viewpoints:

"Ladies and gentlemen! The ocean is a shared asset of humanity, an invaluable resource indispensable to any human activity.

The exchange between countries and the daily life of people globally heavily rely on the ocean. I propose we sign a convention to collectively protect our marine resources.

Whether it’s territorial waters or international waters, all should fall under the protection of the convention. Every country signing this convention should cooperate and sanction any behaviours that harm the marine environment.

The sanctions may include everything, and when necessary, we will resort to force to protect our environment.

Rather than solving the issue of marine pollution, we should deal with individuals or countries causing the pollution.

The world can do without any particular country, but we can’t do without a healthy marine environment to which we owe our survival.

Ladies and gentlemen, for our beautiful ocean and our very own survival, let us use all possible means and spare no expense in protecting the ocean, safeguarding this beautiful, deep blue scenery!”

Clap…Clap…Clap!

An astounding applause reverberated through the meeting room. The reason why the applause was so enthusiastic—if one asked—it heavily relied on who initiated it.

Considering that the British Empire was the first to stand up and applaud, it made it impossible for other countries to ignore.

This isn’t the so-called civilized society of later generations. Crossing the British Empire comes with consequences, something these small or medium-sized countries could hardly afford.

With the efforts of Australasia and the British Empire, this marine environment protection convention was soon signed and implemented as a part of the World Alliance’s official documentation.

Arthur wasn’t entirely counting on this convention to limit the environmental pollution events in those countries. The convention also served as an excuse and a reason for his future actions, sanctions or even war upon these countries.

There was no need to protest when unhappy with something. In Arthur’s eyes, if resolving an issue peacefully was too troublesome, it would be better to decisively eliminate the problem makers. This theory applied to relations between countries as well.

Once the agreement came into full effect, this matter was temporarily concluded.

After all, it is uncertain whether the earth of the 21st century would evolve just like history, let alone the occurrence of world-shaking events. It is even up in the air as to whether the island nation would exist.

As time went on, Australasia began its colonial construction plan.

Unlike previous colonial constructions, the main purpose of this project is to cultivate a market for Australasia to increase its resistance to risks and economic crises.

Looking at all the colonies and territories of Australasia, the majority of them have quite promising development potential and are suitable for increased investment to become key areas for further growth.

Naturally, there is no need to elaborate on the territory of the Persian Gulf, which has abundant petroleum resources that could make Australasia among the countries with the largest reserves of petroleum resources in the world.

These petroleum resources alone could make Australasia a developed country.

If Arthur only wanted to lead an easy life, the mineral resources Australasia currently owns would be enough for the Australasian government to live comfortably for several centuries.

Other Southeast Asian islands and colonies, apart from New Guinea, also have quite promising development potential.

Including the earlier occupied Australian Timor, it should be one of the most well-developed among all colonies and has met the conditions for indigenisation.

In other words, Australian Timor only lacks population, there’s not much difference between it and the native land of Australasia.

"How many people are there in Timor at present?” Arthur looked at Minister of Civil Affairs Philip and asked.

"According to the population census at the end of last year, the total population of Timor is 97,700, and the population of the City of Emperor’s Power is 72,100.” Minister of Civil Affairs Philip straightforwardly stated the population data of Timor without any hesitation.

Arthur nodded with satisfaction and asked, “How is the development of Timor? Are there any viable methods to expand the market of Timor?”

Expanding the market in colonies is a necessity. Even Dutch East Indies, in Arthur’s eyes, is nothing more than an overseas market that he could control at will.

As long as Arthur is willing, no foreign goods could enter Dutch East Indies. This is also due to the confidence of the total superiority of the Australasian Navy over the Dutch East Indies Navy.

"Your Majesty, Timor has a land area of over 30,000 square kilometers, and its primary sources of economic income now are agriculture and livestock farming, as well as some mining. The per capita cultivated land area in Timor can reach over five acres, and the total grain yield breaks through 77,000 tons, sufficient to feed about 150,000 individuals.

Theoretically speaking, if we send over 200,000 immigrants to Timor within ten years, we can take full control of this piece of land and incorporate it into Australasia’s market,” Minister of Civil Affairs Philip replied.

Timor was one of the earliest colonies of Australasia. Because of its proximity to the mainland of Australasia, it could serve as the first step in the indigenisation of the colonies.

What’s more crucial is that the land area of Timor, compared to other colonies, isn’t too large. The labor and material resources needed for its indigenisation also aren’t that extensive.

If Timor is indigenised, it would mark the first step in the indigenisation of Australasian colonies. It could also serve as a model and exemplar for other colonies – they would need only to follow in its footsteps.

Minister of Civil Affairs Philip also highly agrees with the indigenisation of the colonies, especially since the native populations in Australasia’s colonies have generally been expelled. Indigenisation is necessary and a must-do.

The colonial system isn’t reliable, especially given that nationalism in various countries and regions is becoming increasingly rampant. The colonial ruling systems built by Britain and France are now teetering on the brink of collapse.

It is indeed the case that true strength comes from within. If Australasia can indigenise all of its Southeast Asian colonies, the boost that it could give to the mainland would undoubtedly surpass the benefits reaped from the colonies.

Arthur nodded. He completely accepted Minister Philip’s method of migrating over 200,000 people in ten years; after all, it only involved migrating about 20,000 people annually.

If Timor can be completely indigenised within ten years, this would bring long-term benefits for Australasia.

More importantly, the period of peace that followed World War I far exceeded ten years. This is precisely the opportunity given to Australasia by fate to indigenise these colonies.

"Well then, the first step in indigenising the colonies shall be placed in Timor,” Arthur said, “Inject a large number of immigrants into Timor. Before the administrative division reform, I hope to see the emergence of direct-rule states in Timor.”

Compared to the population of Timor, Timor still has a large amount of land area waiting to be developed. This also allows Timor to accommodate more immigrants.

If the indigenisation of Timor is successful, it would have far-reaching influences on nearby royal territories, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Sulawesi Island, and other colonies.

If Australasia successfully indigenises all colonies, establishes one direct rule state after another before World War II, the onslaught of democracy and freedom formed by the United States and the Soviet Union will never reach Australasia.

In this way, Britain, which is struggling with the colonial system, would increasingly rely on the assistance of Australasia.

This would provide considerable help to Australasia for its future take-over of the Strait Colony and the Middle Eastern Colony, which is a development direction Arthur would be pleased to see.

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