The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 406: Chapter 340: British-Australian Agreement_2

However, there is still a huge gap between them and the British Empire. Arthur also greatly coveted the British Empire's talent and technology.

Under Arthur's guidance, the Australasian Government specifically discussed the second round of talks, and decided that the higher the range of assistance, the better.

In terms of technology, talent, and industrial equipment, the more aid they receive, the more they can improve their current strength and potential for the future.

With Arthur's support, government officials were truly bold in their requests. Not only did a single cabinet department propose a large number of technology and equipment requests, but they also hoped that the United Kingdom would support hundreds of talents.

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Adding up the requests from several departments, the British government would need to provide thousands of talents every year, which even they could not bear.

Even if the British were rich and powerful, Minister Grey dared not agree to such high demands for assistance.

Based on the requests put forward by the Australasians, the strength of Australasia after receiving aid would probably be among the top five powers.

This was clearly in conflict with the current goals of the British.

What the British needed was an Australasia with enough strength to provide logistical support for them in future European wars and help them protect their rear.

At most, they needed to work together after the war to guard against the expansion of the United States across the Atlantic Ocean.

Looking at the current aid requests, it is likely that Australasia after the aid would have the ability to compete with the United States alone.

Although a stronger Australasia could perfectly contain the United States, if they continued to expand northward, the British were worried that it would go beyond their control.

After ten more days of bargaining, on March 11, 1913, the second article of the treaty between the two parties was finalized.

The treaty stipulates that Britain will provide a large number of industrial machinery, mainstream and modern technology, and various outstanding reserve talents to Australasia from 1913 until the end of 1919, a total of seven years.

In terms of industrial machinery equipment and technology, they will assist according to Australasia's needs.

Australasia will purchase these industrial equipment and technologies at slightly below market prices, and Britain will be responsible for imparting them to Australasia.

That is, after obtaining British technology, Australasia can skip the long process of mastering the technology and directly let British experts teach them the technical knowledge.

This will greatly enhance Australasia's speed of mastering British technology and allow their technological level to quickly catch up with Britain.

Although it would cost money to purchase industrial equipment and technology, for the Australasian government, which has a surplus of finances every year, money is the least of their concerns.

Not to mention, they could easily afford to spend 20 million Australian dollars a year to purchase British industrial equipment and technology.

Although 20 million Australian dollars may not seem like much, its purchasing power is quite impressive at this time.

Moreover, Minister Grey personally promised that the industrial equipment and technology sold to Australasia would be priced below market rates, and they would offer the most preferential prices to their allies.

Indeed, after these two conditions were basically reached, Australasia and the British Empire had actually become substantive allies.

Aside from military matters that have yet to be discussed, they are already cooperating in diplomacy and the economy as true allies.

As for the second matter of talent assistance, after several rounds of "bargaining," Minister Grey reluctantly agreed to Australasia's demand for at least 300 talents per year for a total of seven years.

These 300 talents will cover various fields in all walks of life, and the specific talent requirements will be based on Australasia's needs.

Even in Arthur's plan, talent in education and medical care would be included within these 300 people.

In short, whatever talent Australasia lacks, they will request from the British Empire.

In addition to the two matters of assistance, Arthur proposed an additional request to Minister Grey: for the shipyards of Australasia and the British Empire to have friendly exchanges every year.

In addition, Australasia's three major shipyards would send some students to study at the shipyards of the British Empire, and some British shipyards would also send experts to Australasia for guidance.

Arthur could not pass up the opportunity to benefit from the British Empire's excellent shipbuilding industry. By sending students and inviting experts simultaneously, he did not believe that the shipyards of Australasia could not learn more.

As for the British lead in warship technology, Arthur would willingly send shipyard students to British shipyards every year.

The current dreadnought and super-dreadnought technology possessed by Australasia is undoubtedly significant thanks to the help of the British.

After the two main aid items in the treaty had been discussed, the focus of the talks shifted to another major point besides aid: military cooperation between Australasia and the British Empire.

As the saying goes, there are gains and losses. The reason the British Empire aided Australasia was not without purpose.