In terms of industry, it is not much different from Arthur's expectations, and such an industrial level is enough to deal with future wars.

Even if the total amount of steel production is slightly different, the industrial situation in Australasia can expand at any time, which is not a big problem.

After Industry Minister Joy finished answering, Arthur turned his gaze to Agriculture Minister Maciei.

The strategic reserve of food is important, something that Arthur has long been clear about.

"Your Majesty, as of the end of last year, our strategic grain reserves were 20.25 million tons, which could feed about 55 million people for two years." The Minister of Agriculture, Maciej, said proudly: "

Considering our relatively developed animal husbandry, our grain reserves can last for two to three years, and we continue to produce fresh grain every year. ”

While food reserves are very important, more food reserves are not always better. After all, Australasia currently has a population of only 40 million, and if there are too many strategic food reserves, it is actually an economic cost.

"How much grain do we produce a year at the moment?" Arthur asked.

"Your Majesty, as of last year, our total arable land area has exceeded 48 million acres, which is roughly equivalent to 194,000 square kilometers of land.

With such a large and vast area of arable land, our annual grain output has exceeded 28.25 million tons, and the average annual grain export exceeds 13 million tons. "Speaking of the news from the agriculture sector, Minister Maciej was excited.

These figures are not only pretty, but they are also the result of Minister Maciej's work.

This year is definitely the most important year of their political careers for these cabinet members.

Because this summer, in a few months' time, elections will be held for the eighth cabinet government in Australasia.

At that time, whether these cabinet members can still stay in their positions, or go further in the cabinet, will depend on the results of the work they have done over the years.

The figures for the agriculture sector are still relatively good, which also means that Maciej has great hopes of being re-elected.

As a first-time Cabinet official, Minister Maciej has little chance of trying to climb the ladder. This doomed Minister Macieyi's plan from the outset to be re-elected and then to fight for greater possibilities in the next term.

Hearing Minister Maciey's report, Arthur's expression did not change much, but he was still satisfied in his heart.

Much of the beauty of the agricultural sector's data depends on the successful exploitation of the Murray River basin.

Speaking of which, the Murray River basin has been developed for a long time, and the area of cultivated land has been reclaimed is even more numerous.

With these privileged lands, Australasia's food production has indeed ushered in a considerable increase.

Moreover, in addition to the native arable land, in Southeast Asia, the states have also cultivated a considerable area of arable land.

After all, Southeast Asia also has an advantage over Australasia, that is, the grain can be harvested three times a year.

At present, Java, which has the most developed grain industry, has contributed one-tenth of the total grain production of Australasia, which is enough to see how exaggerated the agricultural situation of the fertile state of Java is.

But for Arthur, such data is not outrageous. After all, in later generations, the island of Java will support more than 100 million people.

With a population of just over one million now, it's easy for Java to feed them.

"The next step of the Ministry of Agriculture is to develop Java's agriculture as much as possible." Arthur thought for a while, and then ordered: "At present, the scale of our arable land and grain production are basically sufficient, and the next step is to develop the grain production as much as possible at a smaller cost, so as to prepare for a possible war in the future."

Java's grain can be harvested three times a year, and it is currently the best grain growing area in the country.

The agriculture department will come up with an agricultural development plan for Java as soon as possible, and I hope that Java will be developed into one of the most important food producing regions in Australasia, producing at least one-fifth of Australasia's food. ”

Australasia's total annual food production can feed an estimated 85 million people. If the island of Java were to contribute one-fifth, it would feed almost 17 million people.

To be honest, this is still very demanding on the island of Java. After all, the population of Java has just exceeded one million, and it is possible to produce food for 17 million people with 1 million people, which is what can be achieved in a land like Java that crops three times a year.

If it is in Australasia, relying on the current agricultural technology, it is still very difficult to produce food rations for 1 million people with 1 million people.

Even with the help of various machinery and equipment, this plan is definitely not so easy to complete.

Of course, for the current Minister Maciey, Arthur's request is a very important test for him.

You know, this year is the period for the change of the Cabinet government. If Minister Maciej comes up with a perfectly perfect plan, will Arthur let Minister Macieyi remain in his position as Minister of Agriculture to carry out the perfect plan?

Rather than someone who is not familiar with the plan, it is certainly the Minister Maciej who proposes the plan himself who is better suited to carry it out.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest assured, I will definitely come up with the perfect plan in the shortest possible time. Hearing Arthur's request, Minister Maciej quickly stood up and assured with excitement.

Others did not know that this was Minister Maciej's best chance for re-election. As long as Arthur's mission can be completed perfectly, Minister Maciey's re-election will be a certainty.

But alas, Arthur certainly doesn't give orders to everyone. This also means that most cabinet members want to be re-elected, and all they have to do is show their achievements.

"Since the country's finances are relatively good at present, it is time to increase the proportion of our annual military spending." Towards the end of the meeting, Arthur looked at the crowd and spoke.

"Your Majesty, how much do you want to increase the proportion of military spending?" Speaking of raising military spending, Defense Minister Thomas immediately couldn't sit still, stood up and asked.

For Minister Thomas, the increase in military spending is, of course, a good thing. What's more, Arthur's statement seems to be an annual increase in military spending, which also means that the Ministry of Defense has sufficient funds to replace all military forces.

"What is the approximate military budget of the Ministry of Defense this year?" Arthur asked.

How much the military budget will increase, Arthur doesn't have any plan in mind. However, the time has come to 1932, and now that the world situation is completely different from history, it is still necessary to increase the proportion of military spending as soon as possible to prevent war.

"Your Majesty, this year's Ministry of Defence's military budget accounts for 29.1% of total fiscal expenditure, which is about $124.25 million." Secretary of State Thomas replied.

"Let's go up to 31% for the time being." Arthur commanded: "This 1.9% is deducted from the other departments, and the goal now is to make our army as strong as possible." ”

Although it seems to be only 1.9%, the actual cost is as high as 8.11 million Australian dollars, which is a medium-sized expenditure.

Looking at the other ministers who had some toothaches, Arthur said angrily: "This year's total budget will be increased by another 10 million." I think we're in a better financial position this year than we were last year. ”

Although an additional 10 million budget is still needed to squeeze out a little money for each department, it is much better than not increasing the budget.

After hearing Arthur say this, the departments stopped their intention to cry poor and sat down seriously.

Although Arthur increased this year's budget in a few words, Secretary Hunt did not have any objections.

After all, this year's original budget was $427.5 million, and an additional $10 million would be only $437.5 million.

Last year's revenue reached $437 million, and this year, with just a slight increase, it will exceed that figure.

On the basis of increasing military spending, as long as the balance of revenue and expenditure can be maintained, the task has been accomplished for Minister Hunt.

Because of the naval arms race, countries are also constantly increasing their own military spending. If Australasia does not keep up, it will inevitably suffer a dark loss in the war.

"How's our Broken Hill Industrial Site going?" Towards the end of the meeting, Arthur remembered the second largest industrial base in Australasia, which was located in the capital region.

"At present, the second phase of the construction of the Broken Hill Industrial Park has been successfully completed and put into production, and it is expected to reach maximum production by the end of this year." Industry Secretary Joey reported: "

So far, the construction and production of the Broken Hill Industrial Base is going well, and it is expected to become the second largest industrial base in the country this year, after the Leonora Industrial Base. ”

Arthur nodded, and understood the reason why Minister Joy said that he could expand the scale of industry and the total amount of steel production at any time.

Although the Broken Hill Industrial Base was not as large as the Leonora Industrial Base when it was planned, it was definitely a large industrial base.

Originally laid out to the west and east of the Leonora Industrial Base, coupled with its location in the Capital Special Administrative Region, the Broken Hill Industrial Base will welcome more workers.

The industrial sector has spent $72 million on the industrial base.

Of course, the results in exchange are also very sufficient. At maximum production, the Brockenhill Industrial Site can accommodate thousands of factories and provide more than 500,000 jobs.

When war breaks out, the Brockenhill industrial base can be transformed into a military production base at the behest of the government.

Whether it is the production of all kinds of weapons and equipment, guns and ammunition, or all kinds of scarce materials related to the war, the Brockenhill Industrial Base is up to the task.

Both the Leonora Industrial Base and the Broken Hill Industrial Base are located inside the Australian continent, and there is no need to worry about enemy aircraft bombing.

At the outbreak of the war, these two regions were the two hearts of Australasia, one on the left and one on the right, constantly producing large quantities of manufactured goods and creating a steady stream of wealth for Australasia.

"Get the Brockenhill Industrial Base into maximum production as soon as possible, and quickly produce more war stockpiles for us." Arthur commanded: "

In addition, the problem of transporting materials around the two industrial sites also needs to be resolved. At the outbreak of war, these two industrial bases will produce a large number of manufactured goods for us, and we need an excellent transportation environment to be able to transport these manufactured goods out of the country for sale. ”

3200 words for the second update, ask for a monthly pass, ask for support!

(End of chapter)