Chapter 768 Victory
On how to overthrow British hegemony, the United States and Red Russia in another time and space have already given George an example.
After the end of the World War, despite extreme financial difficulties, Britain continued to allocate funds to build battleships to maintain its maritime hegemony.
At the same time, Britain ignored the demands of its overseas colonies and dominions and refused to transfer more power, which put the British colonial order in jeopardy.
Deterrence is like the emperor's new clothes, it will always exist as long as it is not exposed.
Once someone successfully rebounds, a domino effect will occur.
The independence of South Africa and Ireland set the best example for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and India.
Fortunately, Canada has to rely on the protection of the Royal Navy to remain relatively independent due to the threat from the United States.
Australia and New Zealand are far away from the British mainland. Once the strength of the Royal Navy weakens to the point where it cannot effectively protect Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand will be forced to find a new protective umbrella.
On December 11, Senator Barrios Zakharov from Western State gave a speech in the Australian Parliament, demanding greater trade autonomy.
The reason why the Commonwealth is self-contained is that it reduces tariffs internally to promote the circulation of goods; it raises tariffs externally and sets up trade barriers to reduce the competitiveness of foreign goods in the Commonwealth and protect the interests of the Commonwealth market and enterprises.
This regulation is only beneficial to the British mainland and will cause damage to Australia's interests.
The division of labor within the Commonwealth is clear. As a raw material producer and a dumping ground for goods in the UK, Australia provides industrial raw materials to the UK at low prices and is forced to import industrial products from the UK at relatively high prices.
Although the arrogant British label all foreign goods including the United States, Russia, and Germany as inferior, the market does not lie. Goods from Amur are far more popular in Australia than goods from the United Kingdom. welcome.
The trading system designed by London has no major problems in nature and is basically in line with the British national conditions.
However, there are bad people within the Commonwealth, and some businessmen who think they are smart purchase goods from Amur and then import them into Australia through other Commonwealth countries or regions.
Australian imports from within the Commonwealth can only be subject to minimal taxes, or even duty-free.
Since Amur goods are popular in the Australian market, why can’t Australia directly import goods from Amur?
This will at least keep more tax revenue within Australia.
“In my hand is a box of canned caviar from the Straits Settlements. The caviar used in this box of cans comes from Russia, and the cans and boxes are also produced in Russia. Ninety-nine percent of the entire production process is It was completed in Russia, and the merchants of the Straits Settlements only labeled it as a commodity belonging to the Commonwealth. This box of cans with 99% Russian origin entered the Australian market in the name of the Commonwealth -"
Zaharov's background is very complicated. His mother is French and his father is a Slav who was born in the Ottoman Empire. Zaharov himself was born in the United Kingdom. He immigrated to Australia with his parents when he was young and received education in the United States.
Since caviar is not produced in the UK, canned caviar is duty-free within the Commonwealth.
But if you import directly from Russia, you will have to pay about 30% import tax.
“This little can alone causes us a tax loss of up to 150,000 pounds every year.”
The “pound” in Australia is not the pound, but Australia’s own in 1910 The Australian pound is issued, and the exchange rate is tied to the British pound.
"Since London does not produce caviar, and we do not produce caviar ourselves, why can't we import caviar directly from Russia and lose this part of the tax revenue?"
Zakharov was filled with indignation and took out another one. Australian lobster showing its teeth and claws.
“If our lobsters are sold to the Grand Duchy of Yuriev, we will also have to pay about 30% tax, which will seriously weaken our competitiveness. If we can sit down with the Grand Duchy of Yuriev Let’s talk about making caviar and lobster tax-free, which will at least increase our competitiveness and provide us with more tax revenue.”
Zakharov’s voice echoed in the parliament hall, deafening.
Billy Hughes was playing with a pen in his hand, expressionless, staring at Stanley Bruce.
Stanley Bruce frowned and covered his mouth, communicating in a whisper with the Speaker next to him, Labor leader James Scullin.
James Scullin listened attentively, nodding his head from time to time to express his approval of Bruce.
Zakharov’s speech was not over yet, and Liberal MP Holt couldn’t bear it.
“I want to remind Senator Zakharov, please pay attention to your identity. You are an Australian senator, not a servant of Grand Duke Yuriev——”
“You are not only I am rude and have no self-awareness. I am not the servant of Grand Duke Yuriev. On the contrary, you are the slave and watchdog of London!”
Zakharov cursed loudly, and the order of the venue suddenly fell into chaos.
James Scala banged the gavel in his hand, hoping to maintain order at the venue.
Unfortunately it has no effect.
The meeting ended hastily without any agreement being reached.
But the senators are used to it, this is the normal state of parliament.
After the meeting, it’s time for communication as usual. This is where the game begins.
Zakharov took the initiative to visit Scala, hoping to gain support from the Labor Party.
"Although I personally agree with your proposal, I cannot make any promises to you. You should modify your proposal to make it more in line with the interests of the majority of people."
Scala is Old fox, if you don't see the rabbit, you won't let go of the hawk. "By majority, do you mean London, or Australia?"
Zakharov conveniently dug a hole for Scala.
"Generally speaking, we must strive to achieve the best balance among all interest disputes."
Scala's answer can be called a panacea, and it is the answer.
“All my starting points are based on Australia’s national interests.”
Zakharov also used his magic weapon, left Skala’s official residence, and went to find Hughes.
"This is not a purely economic issue. Taxation is important, but national security is even more important."
Hughes did not dare to take a stance easily on this issue.
“I know what you are worried about, but what I want to say is that if the federal government cannot safeguard the interests of the West Oblast, the West Oblast will negotiate trade alone with the Grand Duchy of Yuriev.”
Zakharov issues an ultimatum.
Before Zakharov went to find Stanley Bruce, Bruce came to him.
Bruce happened to meet Bobov, general manager of Yuriev Mining Company, in Zakharov's office.
Bobov prepared a check for Bruce with a face value of 100,000 rubles, designated to be donated to the families of Anzac officers and soldiers who died during the World War.
This is not a check, it is simply a red-hot soldering iron.
Although the controversy over the West Oblast iron mine has not disappeared, it has not affected the progress of the Yuriev Mining Company's project.
The George Port built by Yuriev Mining Company has begun to be put into use. Currently, it can only accommodate merchant ships of less than 10,000 tons. When it is fully completed in the future, it will be able to be used by merchant ships of 100,000 tons.
The management of Port George is either a staff member sent by Western State or an employee of Yuriev Mining Company. Melbourne sent a tax officer to Port George a month ago. The tax officer was hospitalized with malaria shortly after arriving in Port George. Get treatment.
Fortunately it was just malaria, at least I wasn't killed by a kangaroo.
What worries Bruce is that after receiving the payment from Yuriev Company, the Sio State government established a 500-strong National Guard, fully equipped with Russian equipment. Russia hires instructors for training.
These equipments were also donated free of charge by Yuriev Company.
“I will submit relevant plans at next year’s Imperial Conference. Until then, we all have to remain patient.”
Bruce knew the inevitable was inevitable.
There are indeed some politicians in Australia who are loyal to London.
But more and more Australians are beginning to realize that their efforts in London have not received the rewards they deserve.
If there is no hope in licking the dog, sooner or later the saliva will run out.
For this poor boy from Australia, London is a high-end goddess.
Since you can't lick it, you might as well spend the money on yourself.
“Every year at the Imperial Conference, we submit similar proposals. What is the result?”
Zakharov laughed it off and didn’t mention it at the Imperial Conference.
The Imperial Conference was just a tool used by London to appease overseas colonies and dominions. London never really paid attention to the demands of overseas colonies and dominions.
“Although it seems that our gains are very limited at present, at least we are working hard to move forward. As long as we persevere, the problem will eventually be solved one day.”
Although Bruce is not optimistic, he does not give up hope.
“Of course it doesn’t matter to you, it’s part of your job; but for us businessmen, we paid but didn’t get corresponding gains, so our interests deserve to be lost? ”
Bobov is sullen, if you don’t want to be decent, I will give you one.
At the plenary session of the parliament a week later, Zaharov received more and more support. Even two senators from New South Wales and from the Country Party began to support Zaharov. Husband's proposal.
Scala had no choice but to agree to vote on Zakharov's proposal.
As expected, Zakharov's proposal passed with a high vote.
The moment the voting results came out, huge cheers rang out in the parliament hall, and the members clapped and hugged each other. It seemed that they had won the victory and obtained the coveted trade autonomy.
Scala is full of worries, Australia's troubles have just begun.
Zakharov did not celebrate and lit a cigar.
(End of this chapter)