Chapter 90 Railway Construction
Railway construction requires enormous financial and material resources. This was the main reason Arthur had long delayed initiating it.
Australia's finances were quite robust, and the royal family held vast idle capital. Had it not been for the shortages in steel production and manpower, railway construction would have begun much earlier.
Still, starting now was not too late. The goal was to complete the project before the outbreak of the First World War, thus improving Australia's national mobility and coordination capacity.
Fortunately, during the colonial period, some railways had already been built in Australia. Though these were relatively simple lines constructed by the colonies themselves, mainly for transporting minerals,
some of their routes could now be incorporated into the new industrial railway plan. With minor adjustments, they could be put back into service.
These preexisting railways would speed up the overall construction of the industrial line and reduce both financial and material costs.
As for labor, Arthur now faced no shortage. With the addition of natives from New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, Australia had finally gained manpower confidence.
In the past, development projects involving just a few thousand workers were considered large-scale.
But now, unless a project involved at least 5,000 workers, it was considered minor. National-level developments typically began with ten thousand workers or more.
This significantly accelerated progress. Tasks that once took months could now be completed in just over two weeks.
It not only reduced Australia's funding requirements, but also indirectly lowered the casualty rate among Australian workers.
After all, the exhausting, dangerous, and unpleasant jobs were assigned entirely to the natives. And because the Australian population was small, there were still plenty of high-paying, low-risk jobs available for Australians.
In August 1901, Arthur became especially busy—not just because railway plans were nearing completion and construction was about to begin,
but also because of the global scientific award initiative previously discussed with Butler Hunter.
To better manage royal assets, Arthur instructed Butler Hunter to establish the Royal Consortium, absorbing all royal properties under one entity, managed entirely by Butler Hunter.
This included the shipyard, munitions factory, two steel plants, the Royal Bank, Arthur's private vineyard and estate shares, half the stock of the Australian National University, a £150 million government loan, and over £100 million in cash—representing the entirety of Arthur's current wealth.
Though Arthur had no desire to be wealthy for wealth's sake—and was largely indifferent to money—his position made it inevitable that his assets would continue to grow with time.
The royal family's involvement in Australia's development had not been extensive—something Butler Hunter pointed out.
Arthur agreed, and supported Butler Hunter's plan to invest at least £20 million across various sectors in Australia.
This could include purchasing mines, buying stakes in other industries, or even co-founding new factories and enterprises with the government.
Increasing the royal share in key sectors was another way for Arthur to consolidate and expand his influence and prestige.
When a monarch controls a nation's most vital industries and resources, he also naturally holds real power.
It's essentially a combination of industrial tycoon and sovereign—one possessing de facto power, the other holding de jure authority.
Together, they create a ruler with authority rivaling that of history's most absolute monarchs.
The industrial railway was one of the Royal Consortium's investments. Given its projected ten-year construction period and £20 million cost,
it would be co-funded by the royal family and the government. The royal family would contribute £10 million and hold 49% of the shares; the government would contribute £10.01 million and hold 51%.
While the shares determined control, profits—including all future railway revenues—would be split evenly between the two parties. Beyond the initial investment, all additional costs would be borne by the government.
This arrangement satisfied both sides. The government gained controlling interest for half the investment, and the royal family gained lasting profits and prestige from helping build the railway.
Let's not forget—in this era, constructing a railway was a hallmark of becoming an industrialized nation.
A railway spanning Australia would not only accelerate infrastructure and economic development, but also bolster national pride and unity.
The government and royal family would gain tremendous prestige and benefit.
On August 11, 1901, after finalizing the railway plan, Arthur ordered the newspapers to rush the announcement and distribute it nationwide free of charge.
News of a soon-to-be-built railway spanning the entire country caused a national sensation. Some even dubbed the railway "the spine of Australia," a symbol of the nation's rise.
The government and royal family were showered with acclaim, especially Arthur. Thanks to coverage by the Australian Daily and the Victoria Herald, Arthur's popularity soared to its peak. Any newspaper reporting on him sold out instantly.
For both Arthur and Australia, this was a boon. The strength of a monarchy often hinges on how much the people trust their sovereign.
After all, if the people and soldiers do not pledge loyalty to their monarch, can the military still fight?
Conversely, when citizens and soldiers are fanatically loyal to their ruler, the resulting cohesion is overwhelming—far stronger and more forceful than anything found in a republic.
The only comparable force might be the religious unity that once allowed churches to dominate Europe for centuries.
On September 1, 1901, with the laying of the first steel rail in Sydney, the construction of the industrial railway officially began.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew tens of thousands of Australians. People waved handmade banners with slogans like "Long Live the Industrial Railway!" and "Long Live His Grace the Duke!"
Meanwhile, a fleet silently departed from Sydney. After rounding the Tasman Sea, it turned westward toward its unknown mission.
(End of Chapter)
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