Roque only stayed in France for three days this time. It felt like he had flown all the way here, only watched a joke about the French president, and then flew all the way back again. It was not a good deal no matter how you calculate it.
In fact, it’s not bad. The more things like enclaves, the better, especially in Europe where land is at a premium. With the strong infrastructure capabilities of Southern Africa, Roque can turn waste into treasure even if it is a barren land without any grass.
Returning from France, where winter has already entered, to Nyasaland, which is as warm as spring, Rock feels as if he is in two different worlds. The air is still so fresh, the sun is warm, the people are hardworking and brave, in short, all kinds of good things.
The Southern African Congress has held a prime minister election, and Philip was successfully elected as prime minister. He will succeed Ade as the third prime minister of Southern Africa on January 1, 1920, with a term of five years.
Since 1897, when Adé began serving as South African Commissioner and Governor-General of Southern Africa, Adé has stayed in Southern Africa for 22 years.
In the past 22 years, Southern Africa has developed from only three colonies, Cape and Basutoland Swaziland, to an autonomous territory including 11 states, covering an area of more than 5.5 million square kilometers, with a population of 25 million people, and a national
Since 1916, the GDP has surpassed the United Kingdom and Germany, becoming the second largest economic entity in the world after the United States.
For today's southern Africa, Ade has made the greatest contribution. Although Ade has not yet stepped down from office, various parts of southern Africa can't wait to start various commemorative activities for Ade.
A week ago, the Los Angeles City Government decided to name the square in front of the city hall Alfred Square and name the street where the state government is located Milner Road. These two names will be used on the local map published next year.
The number of place names is expected to increase dramatically, and it will not be long before we surpass "Victoria" and "George".
Roque is not opposed to such commemorative activities. A city must not only have complete planning and complete ancillary facilities, but also have a profound humanistic spirit. Only in this way can the unique culture of southern Africa be hatched.
Adelaide's term of office ends in two months, and Adelaide still lives in the Palace of Justice.
Rock prepared a manor for Adelaide on the outskirts of Pretoria for Adelaide to live in after his retirement.
"It's time to retreat when it's time to retreat. Like me, it's good to go fishing, water the flowers, and walk the dog every day. We are all old. The future is the world of young people like Locke, and we old guys will retire to the mountains and forests -
—" Kitchina and Ade were walking in the beautiful gardens of the Government House. Compared with the days when Kitchina was the governor and Ade was the governor, the power of the governor has been greatly reduced, and he has lost influence on the federal government of Southern Africa.
Kitchener didn't care about this. During the World War, Kitchener, the Minister of War, was almost sidelined by the British government and almost lost his job. Since then, Kitchener's desire for power has gradually decreased.
The lives of today's Kitchina are almost the same as those of retired old men.
"Yeah, actually I would have preferred Locke to be prime minister, but it's a pity that Locke doesn't want to compete with Philip -" Ade still regretted that he didn't trust Philip.
This is not to say that Philip is incompetent. Philip is already in his sixties now and is only a few years younger than Ade.
There is no problem with Philip's ability and experience, but his energy will inevitably be affected as he grows older. The work of the Prime Minister is still very intensive. As Winston said, he once attended six meetings in one day.
, this job requires not only ability and experience, but also sufficient energy and physical strength.
On the other hand, as you get older, your thinking will become slower and you will not be able to keep up with the development of the times. These are all disadvantages.
"How old is Locke now? 40 years old? Or 42 years old? This age is too young for the Prime Minister -" Kitchina also knew that Philip was a bit old, but there was no better candidate. Southern Africa was fifty years old.
Around this stage, there is a serious shortage of talent.
In Southern Africa in another time and space, after the death of Louis Botha, Yang Smuts succeeded Louis Botha as the Prime Minister of Southern Africa.
"I was only 43 years old when I came to southern Africa to serve as Commissioner and Governor-General of South Africa, and Winston was only 40 years old when he became Prime Minister." Ade does not think age is a problem. With Roque's resume and reputation, he can definitely do more.
good.
"Come on, come on, it's a foregone conclusion that Philip will be the prime minister now. There's no point in talking about it. What are you going to do after retirement?" Kitchina did not dwell on this topic. He and Ade were old friends during the Second Boer War.
"If I don't do anything, I have to take a good rest. I also want to wait for Locke to become prime minister and see how far he can take southern Africa." The southern Africa created by Ade hopes that southern Africa will usher in a new era.
greater glory.
While Kitchener and Ade were thinking about the future, Rock was discussing the Lowe Railway with Ada.
Los Angeles is Los Angeles and Victoria is Victoria. After the end of the world war, the Rand Bank funded the construction of a railway between Los Angeles and Lake Victoria, connecting Lake Victoria and Nyasaland.
When Germany ruled Victoria, there was only one single-track railway between Victoria and St. George in Victoria. During the World War, this railway was severely damaged and has now been completely restored.
These two railways run through Victoria like a giant cross, playing a huge role in promoting the economic development of Victoria.
The only problem is that both railways are monorails.
Rock now wants to upgrade these two railways into double-track railways, but Ada thinks it is not necessary. There are now multiple airports in Victoria, and the opening of civil routes has replaced some of the functions of the railways. Ada thinks there is time to repair the railways.
Instead of using money to build more airports and buy more aircraft, it would be more efficient.
It should be noted here that for the railway built by Rand Bank, while it has the right to operate the railway for fifty years, the land within ten kilometers on both sides of the railway is also owned by Rand Bank. This is a special provision made by the federal government to stimulate private investment in railways.
.
"Airplanes cannot completely replace the role of railways. Compared with aviation, railways are more economical. One freight train requires several transport aircraft to transport goods. The transportation capacity is very different." Rock attaches great importance to the role of railways.
Airplanes are easy to use, but they are expensive and expensive. Railways are more cost-effective.
"I'm not talking about complete replacement. The existing railways are enough to meet Victoria's actual needs." Ada didn't disagree, but she just didn't think it was necessary.
"The role of railway construction is not only transportation. You also know that the economic crisis is brewing. We need to increase investment and stimulate economic recovery. It is not just railways. Next, we will build more roads, water conservancy facilities, and more.
"More power plants." Roque is worried about the economic crisis. In the United States and parts of Europe, the economic crisis has already begun. Roque does not want to see the economic crisis spread to southern Africa.
If the economic crisis breaks out on a large scale in the United States and Europe, southern Africa will inevitably be affected by the economic crisis.
Roque hopes that the impact of the economic crisis on southern Africa can be minimized, and investing in infrastructure is a good way.
"Let's not talk about the economic crisis. Now more and more soldiers are retiring. How to resettle these people?" Aida is not worried about economic problems. The economic situation in southern Africa is the healthiest among all countries, and the federal government's financial burden is relatively small.
Wealth has been kept among the people for more than 20 years, and the people have a high ability to withstand economic crises. Most of the workers in the factory are foreign employees, and their basic livelihood is still guaranteed.
Just three months ago, the Allied Powers' intervention against the new Russian government failed, and more than 30,000 African soldiers were expected to return to southern Africa.
These 30,000 people are all skilled veterans who have participated in the world war. If these people are not properly placed, all of them will be time bombs.
"They can stay in France, or go to Port Elizabeth to work as mercenaries. If that doesn't work, they can go to the Kingdom of Congo or the Republic of Congo. In any case, they cannot return to southern Africa." Roque was decisive. No matter how he dealt with these African soldiers, Roque
Ke would rather bear the infamy than to completely solve this problem.
All the Africans in Southern Africa have moved out of Southern Africa, and those African-American soldiers will have no home even if they return to Southern Africa. Instead of waiting until they can't bear it anymore and gather in crowds to cause chaos, it's better to cut the trouble now and keep them out of the country.
Of course, Roque will also try his best to compensate those retired soldiers. Unlike the United States, which does not care about veterans, Southern Africa gives all retired African-American soldiers about 200 rand for resettlement expenses. With this money, no matter where they are in France
, or you can settle down in the three vassal countries.
France suffered heavy losses during the World War. In order to make up for France's human resources, the French government is increasing immigration. Anyone who is willing to settle in France, whether African, white, or Asian, will be given formal status.
"What if they must return to southern Africa?" Ada also knows the dangers of those veterans. Many of them have been fighting in Europe since the beginning of the World War and have been fighting until now. They are very skilled in using various weapons.
Moreover, they are killing people so much that if these people are allowed to return to southern Africa, the consequences will be disastrous.
"No -" Roque did not answer this question directly. If those veterans must return to southern Africa, Roque will not be soft-hearted, and he will still have the decisiveness to kill.
Ada stopped asking. From Roque's words, Ada heard Roque's determination.
In fact, problems have already arisen. In southern Africa, soldiers who participated in the World War have shown a certain degree of adaptation problems after being discharged from the army.
For this group of people, Rock's tolerance is relatively high.
