Chapter 233: Another Chapter of Water
In East Africa, the concept of land ownership and distribution differs significantly from what Ernst initially envisioned. While Ernst had considered allocating land to immigrants, he soon realized that most of these immigrants came from regions where land was owned by nobles and landlords. They were accustomed to being tenant farmers, and they didn't demand land ownership or a change in their way of life. Instead, they were content with the comprehensive support provided by the East African government.
The system in East Africa was somewhat reminiscent of a Soviet-style collective farm, with one major distinction being that most industries in East Africa were privately owned by the Hexingen royal family. While large farmers in the United States focused on efficiency and profit, East Africa's approach was more planned, with less emphasis on efficiency. As a result, per capita productivity wasn't fully optimized.
The slave economy played a significant role in East Africa, helping to maintain this system. As for concerns about selling grain at a loss, it was not a significant issue. Food shortages were common worldwide, and East Africa traded food with countries like Japan, which had a demand for cheap rice. In return, East Africa imported "women" and cultural relics from Japan.
Ernst also decided not to target Ireland as a source of immigrants due to political and economic reasons. Ireland had experienced a major immigration wave in the past, and the British authorities were cautious about allowing foreigners into the country during this era.
Population growth in East Africa was stable, with a substantial number of births each year. Ernst anticipated that, with this trend, the population in East Africa would exceed 10 million within a decade.
However, Ernst faced challenges related to land ownership and distribution. The Hexingen royal family held vast land holdings, which could potentially become a point of contention in the future. Ernst was cautious about when and how to address this issue.
To bolster the economy and solidify ties with Austria, some mines in East Africa were made available for Austrian investment. This economic partnership would benefit both parties and serve as a strategic counterbalance in the face of conflicts with Britain and France.
The Austrian government, while benefiting from the Suez Canal's strategic location, also relied on East Africa to address food and industrial raw material shortages. However, the East African market, with its low consumption power, was not a significant source of income for Austria.
One area where Austria could profit from East Africa was through government purchases of weapons and equipment, such as coastal artillery and gunboats.
East Africa's army needed expansion to ensure security across its vast territory. With the development of the agricultural slave economy and the introduction of modern machinery, fewer laborers were required for farming, and slavery was being phased out.
Cooperation with Austria was crucial for East Africa's development in fields such as education, scientific research, and military industries. While these industries were not yet fully developed in East Africa, Ernst had a long-term vision for their growth, taking into account the establishment of a compulsory education system and the eventual development of higher education. This vision aligned with East Africa's national policy of close cooperation with Austria.