Chapter 397: Rising to the Challenge

“Newfoundland? That place is almost independent!” Alan Wilson was still trying to recall in his mind exactly where Edward Bridges was talking about, thinking of one that didn’t match up, and another that still didn’t. Just didn’t think of Newfoundland!

That place is indeed large enough, 400,000 square kilometers it. It is also true that the colony, if there is a place that can be called a filial son among the major British colonies, in addition to British Newfoundland does not do the second person to think.

Even the final accession to Canada was barely passed by referendum, and only after Britain had already made up its mind to let it go. Because of the economic collapse caused by the Great Depression, Newfoundland gave up its self-governing status in 1934 and returned to British colonial rule.

So Edward Bridges was right when he said it was a colony, Newfoundland was indeed a colony. But the problem is that Newfoundland, according to history, is going to have a referendum to join Canada next year.

It wouldn’t be the first time Canada has had to annex Newfoundland, but since Newfoundland was the first British overseas colony, the credentials are much older, and there’s a tradition of self-governance in politics. Since the nineteenth century, Newfoundland has been involved in almost every British foreign war that hasn’t been half as good for Newfoundland. Newfoundland was so keen on British-led wars not because Newfoundlanders were warlike, but because they really identified themselves as British and were serving their country by participating in these wars.

Australia and Canada, which were also following the British lead, had larger populations and stronger economies, and participating in these wars didn’t have a particularly large impact on their homelands, but Newfoundland’s autonomous territories had a population of just under 200,000 people at the time, and couldn’t afford to go to war in such a way.

A war a war down, Newfoundland war killed a third of the population, the vast majority of men, directly caused the Newfoundland government bankruptcy.

“You can’t say that, although part of what you say is true. There is heavy local debt! And a sparse population.” Edward Bridges also knew that Newfoundland was in a bad way, and a very great burden to Britain indeed, but emphasized, “There is no cultural divide to allow you to show what you can learn.”

I studied Orientalism! Alan Wilson opened his mouth, but in the end did not retort, his face clouded over and finally clenched his teeth and said, “I doubt if it is Pamela’s father who has affected my luck, the future of that place is uncertain, and if in the end Newfoundland becomes independent, it will not be my fault, will it?”

“Absolutely not! Of that Alan may rest assured!” Edward Bridges reassured again and again, “It won’t affect the reliable opinion you’ve always had up and down Whitehall.”

Alan Wilson was silent, although Edward Bridges’ words had a huge comforting effect, he still had to think about the fact that a lack of population was not a lack of resources.

“Honorable Sir Edward, isn’t it true that I have absolute authority to pursue my own policies.” Alan Wilson solemnly opened his mouth to inquire, “Whatever decisions I make, I can take them myself without consulting London.”

“Except for taking Newfoundland and annexing it to the United States, you can have everything on your own say.” Edward Bridges opened his mouth to add a premise, he also knew that the situation Alan Wilson was facing now was almost the same as before General Mountbatten went to British India, it really wasn’t a good job.

The circumstances were similar, but the rest could be far worse, and the financial burden of Newfoundland was too much for the local population.

Although most of the Depression debt was canceled out because of the war, Britain had serious financial problems as well, and now had no time to fill the hole in Newfoundland, which was now a real hot potato for London.

Finally, Newfoundland merged into Canada, is because Britain is really not willing to bear the financial problems of Newfoundland, but also afraid of the local people of Newfoundland want to join the United States, to prevent the United States annexation of Newfoundland, only to make the Lord let Canada merged with Newfoundland.

Alan Wilson was thinking about the possibility of raising the dead, he did not want to make something with his own strength. But it must be proved.

The same Edward Bridges is also waiting for Alan Wilson’s position, see this young man is hesitating, on the surface of the immovable his heart is full of surprise, actually really considering? Is this the young man’s courage is commendable?

Allen Wilson suddenly opened his mouth, “Sir Edward, the Marshall Plan, but we and the Soviet Union trade to carry out some restrictions, the current British imports to the Soviet Union, mainly raw material imports, the two main categories are timber and food.”

“That’s right, the Marshall Plan does want us to control trade with the Soviet Union, but grain wise Britain has traditionally relied on the Eastern European countries, timber wise it is possible to try.” Edward Bridges nodded.

“As far as I know, Canada and the Soviet Union are at similar latitudes, and the timber side should be about the same.” Alan Wilson nodded, “You can’t joke about food, but timber is something you can get away with depending on.”

In the midst of the historical Rollo engine incident, the Soviet Union was already furious at Britain for going back on its word, if Britain did not deliver the engine to the Soviet Union, then the Soviet Union would embargo timber as well as food to Britain.

“Oh, but you have to realize that it’s not easy to bring the cost down to match the price of Soviet timber. Newfoundland doesn’t have that much manpower!” Edward Bridges sighed, already understanding Alan Wilson’s decision.

“I’m willing to try, as long as I’m given full authority over British Newfoundland.” Allen Wilson said firmly, “And of course a certain amount of financial support.”

As the current Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, Edward Bridges was not surprised by the request and nodded, “How much financial support is required? You also know that there are many places to spend money in the country, don’t make it too difficult for me.”

“One million pounds, shouldn’t be a very excessive figure.” Alan Wilson spoke carefully, “If this kind of support isn’t available, then there’s really nothing that can be done.”

“Good! I’ll talk to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.” Edward Bridges agreed in one gulp and at the same time said, “This amount is not excessive, Norman and I will go and discuss with the Prime Minister, you go back and wait for news.”

After all, Alan Wilson’s work in British India had a huge contribution, and the annual revenue of two hundred million pounds allowed British India to blossom into the most beautiful light before independence.

The work in iron ore and medical licenses also made the rest of Whitehall widely regarded, and now since Alan Wilson is going out to work, Whitehall must give some support. And it really wasn’t a lion’s share of the figures.

Allen Wilson also does want to leave Whitehall, he has to go back to collect information about Newfoundland, now the financial problems in the end is not serious, Britain and the United States in World War II have set up a military base in Newfoundland. The British and American input on the island contributed to the recovery and development of Newfoundland’s economy.

The local magistrate of Newfoundland was Joseph Roberts Smallwood, whom Allen Wilson didn’t recognize because Newfoundland didn’t have much of a presence either, and he didn’t know that historically it was this man’s efforts that had barely gotten the Newfoundlanders past a fifty percent approval rate to join Canada.

Leaving Whitehall Alan Wilson telegraphed directly to Bonn to have the Dragoon Sisters prepare ten thousand and one chainsaws immediately.

Chainsaws were a German invention, and the STIHL Group was the world’s largest producer of chainsaws.

Alan Wilson himself sketched on paper and then calculated how low he could keep the cost.

Pamela Mountbatten was already surprised that her fiancé was fine and mysteriously calculating something, and when she returned, she didn’t ask what was going on, and it wasn’t until she was ready to cook and ask that she was shocked, “You’re going to be Governor?”

“Pretty much!” Alan Wilson said without looking up, “Don’t think it’s a good thing, Newfoundland has a debt of tens of millions of dollars, and if it weren’t for the outbreak of the World War, the figure would be thirty million dollars.”

“But you’re the Governor General, my father was only the Governor General of British India.” Pamela Mountbatten covered her mouth, still in disbelief of this fact.

“Is a Governor General the same as a Viceroy?” Alan Wilson looked up at his fiancée, “Your father and I were in a similar position before we went to British India, both going to a place that had been abandoned on a native psychological level. Probably the last Governor-General of Newfoundland.”

“That’s a governor-general, too!” Pamela Mountbatten stared at her fiancé in stunned amazement, “I’ve never heard of a Governor at your age.”

“Help me out, do you know a company that does foreign trade? Help me order ten thousand and one 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, now at this time you can save.”

“Ten thousand and one sets, why is this number so strange?” Pamela Mountbatten said in disbelief.

“I am going to call for ten thousand Chinese laborers! As for the extra set, that’s my own!” Alan Wilson shrugged his shoulders and said with a long sigh, “It’s quite a long time since I’ve held a chainsaw, I don’t know if my hands are raw.”

“When have you ever held a chainsaw like that, I’ve never seen one.” Pamela Mountbatten felt as if her fiancé was odd today, but couldn’t tell exactly what was odd.

“Didn’t know you then.” Alan Wilson replied absentmindedly, figuring that it had been about thirty years since he had used a chainsaw in this life, “I’m making a plane to Germany tomorrow.”

“In such a hurry? You don’t usually fly!” Pamela Mountbatten was genuinely shocked for once, she knew the man was all for avoiding air travel.

“Not in a hurry.” Alan Wilson filled his stomach in three tries, “First I’ll go to Germany, then I’ll go to Malaya to recruit, I’ll come back after these two things are done, and then I’ll go to Newfoundland to take up my post.”

Perhaps aware of her fiancé’s difficulties, the noble lady was rather proactive this day, hoping that her body would allow Allen Wilson to relieve the pressure.

“Alright!” After listening to Norman Brook’s mouth, Prime Minister Aidley about Alan Wilson took the initiative to go to Newfoundland’s civil servant spirit, but also quite sigh of relief agreed to this governor appointment, now it seems that civil servants are not all eaten, there are always so one or two individuals, but also can afford the cultivation of the empire.

The prime minister has decided, it will be Allen Wilson to be the governor of Newfoundland.