Chapter 397: Facing the Difficulties
"Newfoundland? That place is about to become independent!" Alan Wilson was still thinking about what Edward Bridges was talking about. One thought didn't match up, and another one still didn't match up. I just didn’t expect Newfoundland!
That place is indeed large enough, covering 400,000 square kilometers. It is indeed a colony. If there is a place among the major British colonies that can be called a filial son, except British Newfoundland, I will not think twice about it.
Even the final referendum to join Canada was passed reluctantly. It was only after the UK had made up its mind to let go that such a result was achieved. Due to the economic collapse caused by the Great Depression, Newfoundland gave up its autonomous status in 1934 and returned to British colonial rule.
So Edward Bridges was right when he said it was a colony, and Newfoundland was indeed a colony. But the problem is that according to history, Newfoundland will vote to join Canada in a referendum next year.
This is not the first time that Canada has annexed Newfoundland, but because Newfoundland is the first British overseas colony, it has older qualifications and a tradition of political autonomy. Since the 19th century, Newfoundland has participated in almost every British foreign war, and these wars have not done Newfoundland any good. The reason why Newfoundland is so keen on wars led by Britain is not because Newfoundlanders are warlike, but because they really identify themselves as British, and participating in these wars is serving their country.
Australia and Canada, which also followed the British in the war, had larger populations and stronger economies. Their participation in these wars did not have a particularly large impact on the mainland. However, the Dominion of Newfoundland had a population of less than 200,000 at the time and could not afford such a move. consumption of war.
After one war after another, Newfoundland lost one-third of its population, the vast majority of whom were men, directly causing the Newfoundland government to go bankrupt.
"You can't say that, although part of what you said is true. There is a heavy debt there! And a sparse population." Edward Bridges also knew that the situation in Newfoundland was very bad, and it was indeed very harmful to the United Kingdom. burden, but still emphasized, "There is no cultural barrier, you can show what you have learned."
I studied Oriental studies! Alan Wilson opened his mouth, but in the end he did not refute. His face was uncertain and he finally gritted his teeth and said, "I wonder if Pamela's father has affected my luck. The future of that place is unclear. If Newfoundland eventually becomes independent, , isn’t it my fault?”
"Absolutely not! Allen can rest assured of this!" Edward Bridges repeatedly assured, "This will not affect the reliable evaluation of you by everyone in Whitehall."
Alan Wilson was silent. Although Edward Bridges' words had a huge comforting effect, he still had to think about the lack of population but not the lack of resources.
"Dear Sir Edward, do I have the absolute power to implement my own policies?" Alan Wilson asked solemnly, "No matter what decision I make, I can make my own decision without consulting London."
"Except for bringing Newfoundland into the United States, you can have the final say on everything yourself." Edward Bridges added a premise. He also knew that the situation faced by Alan Wilson now was almost the same as General Mountbatten's. Just like before going to British India, it was really not a good job.
The environment is similar, but otherwise very different, and Newfoundland's financial burden is too heavy for the local population.
Although most of the debt during the Great Depression was offset due to the war, Britain's financial problems are also serious, and there is no time to fill Newfoundland's hole now.
Newfoundland is indeed a hot potato for London right now.
In the end, Newfoundland was annexed to Canada. It was because Britain was really unwilling to bear Newfoundland's financial problems and was afraid that the locals in Newfoundland would want to join the United States and prevent the United States from annexing Newfoundland, so it took the initiative to let Canada merge Newfoundland.
Alan Wilson was thinking about the possibility of resurrecting the dead, but he wasn't trying to do something on his own. But you must prove your ability.
Similarly, Edward Bridges was also waiting for Alan Wilson's statement. Seeing that the young man was hesitating, he seemed calm on the surface and was full of surprise. He was actually considering it? Is this the courage of young people?
Alan Wilson suddenly said, "Sir Edward, the Marshall Plan imposed some restrictions on our trade with the Soviet Union. Currently, Britain's imports from the Soviet Union are mainly raw materials. The two major categories are timber and grain."
"Yes, the Marshall Plan does want us to control trade with the Soviet Union. However, Britain has traditionally relied on Eastern European countries for food. We can try it for timber." Edward Bridges nodded.
"As far as I know, Canada and the Soviet Union have similar latitudes, and they should be similar in terms of timber." Alan Wilson nodded. "The food problem cannot be joked about, but timber can help us get rid of dependence."
In the historical Rolls-Royce engine incident, the Soviet Union was already angry with Britain for going back on its word. If the United Kingdom did not deliver the engine to the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union would impose an embargo on wood and grain from the United Kingdom.
"Oh, but you have to know that it is not easy to bring the cost down to the same price as the Soviet lumber. Newfoundland does not have that much manpower!" Edward Bridges sighed, he already understood that Ai Len Wilson's decision was made.
"I'm willing to give it a try, as long as I'm given full authority over British Newfoundland." Alan Wilson said decisively, "Of course, I also need certain financial support."
As the current Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Edward Bridges was not surprised by this request. He nodded and said, "How much financial support is needed? You also know that there are many places to spend money in the country, so don't make it too difficult for me."
"One million pounds shouldn't be an excessive figure." Alan Wilson said cautiously, "If there is no such support, then there is really nothing we can do."
"Okay! I'll talk to the Chancellor of Finance." Edward Bridges agreed and said at the same time, "The money is not too much. Norman and I will discuss it with the Prime Minister. You go back and wait for the news."
After all, Alan Wilson's work in British India made a huge contribution, and his annual revenue of 200 million pounds allowed British India to bloom at its most beautiful glory before independence.
The work on iron ore and medical licenses has also been widely favored by Whitehall. Now that Alan Wilson is going out to work, Whitehall must provide certain support. And this is indeed not a number that makes a lion's mouth open.
Alan Wilson really wants to leave Whitehall. He wants to go back and collect information about Newfoundland. Whether the current financial problem is serious or not, Britain and the United States both set up military bases in Newfoundland during World War II. British and American investment on the island promoted Newfoundland's economic recovery and development.
The local governor of Newfoundland was Joseph Roberts Smallwood. Alan Wilson did not know him, because Newfoundland's presence was not high, and he did not know that it was this man's efforts in history that barely made Newfoundland People passed the 50% support rate to join Canada.
Alan Wilson, who left Whitehall, sent a telegram directly to Bonn, asking the Dragoon sisters to prepare 10,000 chain saws immediately.
The chain saw was invented by the Germans, and STIHL Group is the largest chain saw manufacturer in the world.
Alan Wilson himself would sketch on paper and then calculate how low the cost could be reduced.
Pamela Mountbatten was already used to it being weird that her fiancé was fine and making mysterious calculations. After she came back, she didn’t ask what happened. She didn’t ask in shock until she was done cooking and asked, “You want to be the Governor-General?”
"Absolutely!" Alan Wilson said without raising his head, "Don't think it's a good thing. Newfoundland has tens of millions of dollars in debt. If the world war hadn't broken out, this number would have been thirty million dollars."
"But you are the Governor-General, and my father is just the Governor-General of British India." Pamela Mountbatten covered her mouth, still not able to believe this fact.
"Are the Governor-General the same as the Governor-General?" Alan Wilson raised his head and glanced at his fiancée, "Your father and I were in the same situation before we went to British India. We were both going to a place that had been abandoned psychologically by the natives. Maybe he would be the last one. Governor of Newfoundland.”
"That's the Governor-General too!" Pamela Mountbatten looked at her fiancé in amazement, "I've never heard of a Governor-General of your age."
"Please help me quickly. Do you know a company that does foreign trade? Help me order 10,000 sets of winter clothes from the Soviet Union." Alan Wilson held his forehead and said, "I guess the price in the Soviet Union will be cheaper. At this time, I can If you save, save.”
"Ten thousand and one, why is this number so strange?" Pamela Mountbatten asked in confusion.
"I'm going to recruit 10,000 Chinese workers! As for the extra set, that's my own!" Alan Wilson shrugged and sighed, "I haven't held a chain saw for a long time. I don't know if my hand is raw." .”
"When did you hold a chainsaw? I've never seen it before." Pamela Mountbatten felt that her fiancé seemed strange today, but she couldn't tell what was strange.
"I didn't know you at that time." Alan Wilson replied absently. He calculated his age in his life and found that he had not used a chain saw for about thirty years. "Tomorrow I will fly to Germany."
"So urgent? You don't usually fly!" Pamela Mountbatten was really shocked this time. She knew that this man would avoid flying if he could.
"There's no hurry." Alan Wilson filled his stomach three times, "First I'll go to Germany, and then I'll go to Malaya to recruit workers. I'll come back after these two things are done, and then I'll go to Newfoundland to take office. .”
Perhaps knowing her fiancé's difficulties, the noble lady took the initiative on this day, hoping that her body would allow Ellen Wilson to relieve the pressure.
"Okay!" Prime Minister Attlee listened to Norman Brooke's words about Alan Wilson's civil servant spirit in taking the initiative to go to Newfoundland. He also sighed and agreed to the governor's appointment. Now it seems that civil servants are not all in vain. There are always one or two individuals who work hard and are worthy of the empire's training.
The Prime Minister has decided that Alan Wilson will be the Governor of Newfoundland.
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