Chapter 108: Chapter One Hundred and Eight: Winning the Hearts of the People (Please subscribe!)

Translator: 549690339

The New Zealand Colonial Government prepared a grand welcome ceremony for Arthur. It took place at the same harbor, but the welcoming crowd consisted entirely of New Zealanders.

Although called New Zealanders, most of them were of British descent, just like Australians. They had been living in New Zealand for decades or even centuries, and considered the land their home.

For that reason, they did not resist being ruled by someone like Arthur, who came from the British Royal Family and shared their skin color and language. When Arthur arrived with the Relief Committee, they immediately welcomed him.

Here in New Zealand, Arthur successfully met General Pierce Antony, the Military Commander of the New Zealand Garrison, as well as New Zealand officials who had attended Australia’s National Day celebration.

Upon seeing Arthur again, these New Zealand officials were very enthusiastic and approached him one by one to pay their respects and greet him.

After they finished their greetings, Arthur formally met with the Commander of New Zealand, General Pierce.

As military commander of one of the British Empire’s colonies, General Pierce had an impressive career. He graduated from a renowned British military college and served for over a decade in armies from the local army, the Guards, and the Colonial Army before being appointed Commander of the New Zealand Garrison.

Although he only commands a 3,000-strong garrison in New Zealand, when General Pierce returns to the United Kingdom, he is sure to be promoted to a position no lower than Brigadier General.

Arthur had a good impression of General Pierce, considering that it was the general’s 3,000-strong garrison that maintained a good security situation in New Zealand.

“Welcome to New Zealand, Your Highness, the Duke of Australia and Governor of New Zealand!” General Pierce stepped forward with a smile and spoke respectfully to Arthur.

Although he held military power as the colonial commander, General Pierce understood the difference in status between himself and Arthur.

Before Arthur’s arrival, the New Zealand Garrison may have been able to compete with the colonial government. Still, with Arthur’s presence, the New Zealand Colonial Government would be unable to challenge the 3,000-strong garrison.

If he dared to disobey any orders, Arthur could easily sideline him from his position as the Commander of New Zealand through reforms.

Keep in mind that these New Zealand troops were composed of New Zealanders, and although some British officers were present, Arthur was also from the British Royal Family.

Once Arthur gains the trust and recognition of the New Zealanders, whether his 3,000-strong force listens to his command is a question worth pondering.

After meeting with all the officials, Arthur did not go directly to the Government Building where the New Zealand Colonial Government was based. Instead, he stayed at the harbor and had the guards clear some space for him to deliver an on-the-spot speech.

Since he was determined to claim New Zealand as his own, it was necessary to win the hearts and trust of the New Zealanders first in the initial step.

For a person with a distinguished nobility background and who is the legal ruler of a certain area, it is straightforward to win the people’s hearts.

Imagine that the ruler of a country, with a distinguished noble background and a promise to the people, would definitely evoke more trust than politicians!

After all, in this era, monarchism is the mainstream, and any monarch or ruler cherishes their prestige, and would hardly make a move to break their promises publicly.

After all, the prestige and authority of a monarch determine the credibility of the royal family, and once the credibility of the royal family is insufficient, and people no longer believe and trust in the royal family, the royal family and the monarch may lose their ruling position.

After all, the waves of European liberalism are still very frightening, and even France, as a powerful nation, has not undergone several changes, changing from a monarchy to a republic?

Compared to those politicians who promise everything during the campaign but do nothing once they are in office, most monarchs at least still know how to take care of their subjects.

“People of New Zealand, I am Connaught Arthur, Duke of Australia and Governor of New Zealand. It is an honor to act as your temporary ruler and manage this prosperous region for twenty years. In my view, all New Zealanders, like Australians, are the new nations evolved from European immigrants. We even have the same origins and the same goals,” Arthur began, speaking to the crowds.

“Australia and New Zealand alike are lands in Oceania. Whether Australians or New Zealanders, our essential goals are the same: to protect this great land and lead it to prosperity.”

“Now, Australia has taken the first step: raising the per capita income of all Australians, building an industrial area, and planning to build a vast railway that runs through Australia. At this critical moment, I believe it is time to bring the wave of development to New Zealand, allowing it to rise and prosper alongside Australia,” Arthur said with a smile.

“Your Highness, Your Highness! Will you also build industrial areas and railways for New Zealand? Will you also increase the per capita income of New Zealanders?” New Zealanders asked eagerly.

They were once part of Australia, and New Zealand used to have a similar development to Australia.

As a colony of the British Empire, both New Zealanders and Australians had low incomes.

But since Arthur’s coronation as Duke of Australia, Australia’s development has undergone a dramatic change.

Industrial areas, harbors, railways, highways, hospitals, schools, universities, nursing homes, orphanages.

One by one, the buildings sprang up, not only significantly improving the living standards and basic conditions for Australians but also leaving a deep impression on New Zealanders.

After all, the reason Australia experienced such significant changes in just over two years is because they now have a monarch, right?

Turning Australia from a colony into an independent duchy and greatly reducing the taxes of Australians.

Compared to the happy Australians, New Zealanders’ treatment was much worse.

As a colony, the New Zealand government had to hand over a large portion of its revenue to the British Empire each year, much of which was squeezed from the people of New Zealand.

Seeing that their sibling country, Australia, was gradually developing and prospering, and looking at themselves, who not only had to face harsh taxation but were not even an independent country, the tears of envy of New Zealanders could not stop flowing.

“Increasing the income of all New Zealanders is inevitable. As your governor, I cannot bear to see a large number of New Zealanders still living in poverty. At the very least, I should ensure that no New Zealander has to worry about the problem of hunger,” Arthur nodded matter-of-factly.

“However, issues like building industrial zones and railways require the discussion of all colonial government officials. And New Zealand probably does not have sufficient funds to build these facilities. However, if the New Zealand Colonial Government agrees to construction in New Zealand, as the Duke of Australia and Governor of New Zealand, I am willing to provide enough development funds for New Zealand in the form of loans,” Arthur replied while looking at the already eager New Zealanders with a smile.