Chapter 13: The Lower House Election
In the bustling square, a few birds cautiously landed on branches, about to search for insects among the leaves, only to be frightened away by the cheers of the crowd below. A single feather floated down slowly, proof of their brief visit.
Standing on the platform, Arthur looked out at the cheering crowd with satisfaction.
It seemed his plan to win public favor through tax cuts had already succeeded.
If Australians had initially looked forward to Arthur's rule out of a desire for unification, then now they truly welcomed and celebrated his arrival.
Since that was the case, Arthur didn't mind turning up the heat. He gestured for the crowd to quiet down—there was still more important news to share.
As expected, the moment he raised his hand, the noisy square instantly fell silent, as if it hadn't been them shouting just seconds before.
Arthur was very pleased with the effect and said with a smile,
"Now, I have something else very important to announce.
Although we are a monarchy, I am very willing to grant my people the rights they deserve.
I hereby declare the formal establishment of the Upper and Lower Houses.
The Lower House election will be held from May 10th to May 17th, and will occur every two years.
May 18th to 24th will be for tallying the results, and the newly elected members will officially take office on May 25th.
Now, every Australian can proudly declare that you are free to fight for your own rights!"
"Long live His Grace! Long live Australia!"
One explosive announcement after another had made the crowd even more enthusiastic about Arthur.
Everyone was thankful that the British had blocked the earlier attempt by the Federal Council—if the former colonial rulers were still in charge, it was doubtful there would've been tax cuts, let alone full civil rights.
"My people, all adult Australians may participate in the Lower House election.
Every adult Australian has one vote.
During the election, I will dispatch the Royal Guard to monitor polling sites to ensure that no fraud occurs.
The Lower House will have the authority to draft and amend ordinary laws, and to elect cabinet members.
It will be one of Australia's most important governing bodies.
Now, as Duke of Australia, I grant this right to all of you.
Let every Australian participate and bear witness—Australia shall rise on this beautiful Earth.
Long live Australia!"
Arthur grew more passionate as he spoke, shouting the final words with great force.
But no one cared that he was slightly losing composure. Everyone was immersed in joy and excitement, shouting and cheering alongside him.
Amid waves of applause and cheering, Arthur ended his coronation speech with perfect timing.
If Arthur had once been a mysterious and intriguing figure to the Australian people, now he was already considered a kind and brilliant monarch—one who had quickly surpassed even Queen Victoria in the hearts of many.
As long as Arthur could maintain this public image and goodwill, his position in Australia would be unshakable.
May 9, 1900. Sydney Harbor.
After staying in Australia for over ten days, Queen Victoria was finally preparing to continue her journey to Whakaari Island.
Looking at the boy now taller than herself, Queen Victoria couldn't help but feel emotional.
With a smile, she said,
"Arthur, your speech was excellent. I believe under your leadership, Australia will become the brightest jewel in Oceania."
"Grandmother, please take care of your health. I'm still looking forward to attending your seventieth jubilee!"
Arthur didn't respond directly to her praise but instead looked at her with deep concern.
"Hahaha, good child, Grandmother understands.
Your mother and two sisters still need your care here in Australia.
I've already arranged for the best teachers from Britain to come and teach you and them.
I hope that the next time we meet, my Arthur will have grown into a great ruler. Grandmother will be proud of you."
Queen Victoria kissed Arthur on the forehead and then, without looking back, departed with Princess Beatrice and the fleet.
If not for the slight trembling of her shoulders, perhaps this farewell might not have been so heartbreaking.
After seeing Queen Victoria off, it was time for Arthur to take ownership of the legacy she had left behind.
Exactly 2,000 Royal Guards and their families—nearly 8,000 people in total—along with two British chefs, two maids, six servants, and one personal tailor.
Beyond that, there was also £237 million in cash, £50 million in industrial equipment, and Arthur's former assets in Britain: two arms factories, one steel mill, and one shipyard.
All the important machinery and technical workers had been relocated to Australia.
Honestly, Arthur felt fortunate to be born into the British royal family—especially as the only son of Queen Victoria's most beloved son, Duke Arthur.
Even though his fief had shifted to industrially barren Australia, he had over £200 million in starting capital and £50 million worth of equipment, along with multiple factories.
Never mind the vast sum of money—for the time, even the factories and machinery alone were enough to jump-start Australia's industrial sector and quickly bridge the gap with the West.
More importantly, Australia was rich in natural resources: coal, iron, aluminum, oil, natural gas, gold, silver, and more.
Each resource was found in abundant quantities—more than enough to build a powerful industrial nation.
Australia also had vast reserves of natural uranium.
Uranium-235, extracted from these ores, would one day become the core material for atomic weapons.
Even in the future, the world's total minable uranium would only reach around 5 million tons—and Australia alone held 610,000 tons, more than one-ninth of the global supply.
With such mineral wealth, coupled with massive startup funds, a complete set of industrial equipment, and short-term support from the world's most powerful industrial empire, Arthur had every reason to believe that he could rapidly elevate Australia's industry to a second-tier European level—and perhaps even challenge the first tier.
Not to mention, Australia's geographic advantages were unmatched.
In Oceania, there were no direct competitors. Its two potential rivals—an island nation and the United States—faced various limitations and would not pose a threat in the short term.
(End of Chapter)
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