Chapter 26 : Three-year Industrial Plan
It is no exaggeration to say that Australia is known as the country that sits atop a mining powerhouse. Although several large mineral deposits that would become famous in later generations have yet to be discovered, in terms of proven mineral resources, Australia is also a richly endowed nation.
Australia has discovered several iron and coal mines, essential for industrial development, in the uninhabited regions of the west, with total reserves of 360 million tons of iron and 1.9 billion tons of coal, respectively.
At first glance, these figures may seem enormous, but when compared to Australia's proven reserves of 15 billion tons of iron ore and 900 billion tons of coal, they are merely a fraction of the total.
However, compared to other countries at the time, Australia's proven mineral resources are already substantial. Even considering the current steel production of the British Empire, Australia's iron ore reserves are sufficient to meet Britain's needs for thirteen years.
Although the British Empire's steel production would not remain unchanged, it would be impossible for Australia to match British steel output without several years or even decades of effort. This also means that, even if Australia is now making every possible effort to develop its industry, there will definitely be no shortage of mineral resources for over a decade.
Yet, as a resource-rich country, Australia consistently lacks funds, equipment, and talent more than it does minerals, which can be found everywhere.
"Minister Pierre, please share your plan in detail." Pierre Silvio Berlusconi's proposal was also Arthur's plan, so Arthur spoke to Minister Pierre with genuine interest.
"Your Highness, in the uninhabited regions of our country's west, there are vast mineral resources, among which coal and iron ore are essential for industrial development. I propose that we first establish a large-scale industrial production base in the uninhabited western regions and use the equipment provided by Your Highness to increase our steel production to at least 100,000 and 200,000 tons within three years. Simultaneously, we will use the steel we produce to lay railways between the western industrial zones and our cities, building a transportation network. After three years, when our steel production has reached a new stage, it will not be too late to pursue scientific and technological industries." Minister Pierre spoke with increasing enthusiasm as he saw Arthur's keen interest in his proposal.
"Minister Pierre, your plan is to first increase steel production and leave the rest for later, is it not?" Arthur asked with a smile.
Increasing steel production may be challenging for other underdeveloped countries, but for Australia, it is relatively straightforward. Australia possesses industrial equipment worth 50 million pounds, sourced from the United Kingdom, carefully selected by Arthur, including basic industrial equipment such as steel furnaces.
The advantage of this is that Australia can quickly master the use of this industrial equipment. Once these industrial tools are fully assimilated and utilized, Australia will rank among the top 20 industrial nations in the world.
"No, Your Highness. My proposal is that we prioritize the development of basic industries, including steelmaking. This does not mean we have to abandon the development of other industries in the short term. I believe the ultimate goal of Australia's industry is to become an independent research and production industrial circle, forming a complete system. As for scientific and technological industries, including military factories and shipyards, our ultimate goal is to achieve independent research, development, and production. Therefore, while developing basic industries, we need to attract talent from Europe on a large scale to fill the gap left by our backward educational foundation. From an industrial perspective, the development of industry and the attraction of talent must proceed simultaneously," said Minister Pierre.
Australia still holds significant advantages compared to some countries also seeking development. Due to shared race and geographical distance from Europe, Australia has no major conflicts with European countries and can attract advanced technology and talent from various European nations.
What Minister Pierre said actually requires Australia to have the capability to independently develop advanced technology and equipment in the future, rather than simply importing them from Europe. This means Australia must attract a large number of talents from across Europe; otherwise, independent research will remain an empty promise.
Arthur nodded. As Minister Pierre was a talent previously sent to Australia by the British Empire, his capabilities should not be underestimated. If introducing equipment to develop basic industries brings us to the present, then attracting talent to enhance R&D capabilities is what will take us into the future.
For a great power aiming to rise or even dominate, independent capabilities in scientific and technological research and development are indispensable. If a country's advanced industrial products can only be imported from abroad, then even if that country relies on importing a large amount of advanced equipment to significantly enhance its strength, it will ultimately be controlled by others and cannot truly become a powerful nation.
"Minister Pierre, what are our current levels of steel production?" Arthur asked.
It must be said that the colonial period was also the time when the gap between Western countries and underdeveloped nations was the greatest. While steel production in Western countries has surpassed millions or even reached tens of millions, the island nation, a country that will depend on reforms to become the leading power in the future, has a steel production of just over a thousand tons.
The situation in Australia is slightly better, but only slightly. Due to the abundance of iron and coal mines, Britain established small steel factories in Australia.
"Your Highness, last year the annual steel production of the six states was approximately 3,700 tons, and pig iron production was 5,000 tons," Pierre stated without hesitation.
These are the figures Minister Pierre has come to know in the past week. He remembers them well because he knows they will likely be used.
"I give you three years to triple Australia's steel production each year. Can you do it?" Arthur asked, looking at the confident Minister Pierre with a smile.
Tripling production each year is no easy task. It may be achievable in the first year, but the difficulty will increase exponentially in the second. Three times five thousand tons of pig iron is fifteen thousand tons, and three times fifteen thousand tons is forty-five thousand tons. That's not counting the final year, when 45,000 tons would triple to nearly 140,000 tons, and total steel production would approach 250,000 tons.
"No problem, Your Highness. As long as you provide the necessary funds and equipment, I promise to triple the annual steel production over these three years," Minister Pierre responded decisively and without hesitation.
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