"Newfoundland? That place is about to become independent!" Alan Wilson was still thinking about what Edward Bridges was talking about. He thought of one thing that didn't fit, and then another one that still didn't fit. He just didn't think of Newfoundland.
!
That place is indeed large enough, with an area of 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, it will not be considered second to British Newfoundland.
Even joining Canada in the end was reluctantly passed in a referendum. It was only after the United Kingdom had made up its mind to let go. Because of the economic collapse caused by the Great Depression, Newfoundland gave up its autonomous status in 1934 and returned to the United Kingdom.
of colonial rule.
So Edward Bridges was right when he said it was a colony. Newfoundland is 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 almost participated in British foreign affairs.
Every war, and these wars did not benefit Newfoundland at all. Newfoundland is so keen on the British-led wars not because Newfoundlanders are warlike, but because they really identify themselves as British, and participating in these wars is because
Serve the 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, one-third of the population of Newfoundland was killed, the vast majority of which were men, which directly caused 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 uncertain."
Ming Ming, if Newfoundland eventually becomes independent, it won’t be my fault, right?”
"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." 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 the other differences are too different. 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 very serious, and there is no time to fill the hole in Newfoundland. For London, Newfoundland is indeed a hot potato now.
In the end, Newfoundland was annexed to Canada 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 allow Canada to annex Newfoundland.
Alan Wilson was thinking about the possibility of coming back to life. He didn't want to do anything by himself. But he had to prove his ability.
Similarly, Edward Bridges was also waiting for Alan Wilson's statement. When he saw the young man hesitating, he was surprised that he was actually calm on the surface, but he was actually considering it? Is this how courageous a young man can be?
Is it good?
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 at Britain for going back on its word. If Britain did not deliver the engine to the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union would impose an embargo on wood and grain from Britain.
"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 rights to British Newfoundland." Alan Wilson said decisively, "Of course, I also need certain financial support."
As the current Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, 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 you don't have this kind of support, then there's really nothing you can do."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Okay! I will talk to the Chancellor of the Finance." Edward Bridges agreed and said at the same time, "This amount of money is not excessive.
Norman goes to discuss with the Prime Minister, and 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 to go out to work, Whitehall must give certain support. And this is indeed not a figure that makes the lion's mouth open.
Alan Wilson really wants to leave Whitehall. He wants to go back and collect information about Newfoundland. Is the current financial problem serious? Both the United Kingdom and the United States established military bases in Newfoundland during World War II. The investment of the United Kingdom and the United States on the island
Promoted the recovery and development of Newfoundland's economy.
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 chainsaws 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 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 after the meal was ready, "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 puzzledly.
"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. After calculating his age, he 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 up my post.
."
Perhaps knowing her fiancé's difficulties, the noble lady took the initiative that day, hoping that her body would allow Ellen Wilson to relieve her stress.
"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 appointment of Governor. Now it seems that civil servants are not all in vain.
There are always one or two people 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.