Chapter 271: Comprehensive Overhaul of Safety and Hygiene
Whether it was ahead of its time or not, the New Holy Roman Empires Health and Safety Law was enacted, enforcing nationwide compliance as a law.
Factories are the first to be impacted. They must improve workers living conditions to meet the minimum standards set by the Health and Safety Law.
This is where the advantage of not having factories in cities becomes apparent, as its effortless to acquire land from the surrounding areas.
With the ongoing development of African colonies, a large influx of cheap timber entered the domestic market, making the construction of wooden houses very cost-effective. It only takes 10 days to half a month to solve this problem.
This is of course disruptive for factories located in urban areas, where land acquisition costs are much higher in densely populated urban areas.
Franz cant do anything about these problems. The government has already ordered factories to move to the suburbs to ease the burden on the cities.
Those who moved earlier received government relocation subsidies. Since they didnt listen, they had to figure it out for themselves.
Safe urban drinking water is also on the agenda. Once the reconstruction is complete, the water company will provide a steady supply, and the dirty underground wells can be phased out.
To cultivate the habit of drinking boiled water, the government has mandated that factories, businesses, public places, and government institutions must provide only boiled water for consumption.
The excuse given is the prevention of cholera. Two years ago, the British confirmed the link between the spread of cholera and water consumption and hygiene. This triggered a hygiene revolution on the European continent.
Cholera has not disappeared; it still appears from time to time and remains the most terrible and common epidemic of this era.
Anyone who dares to obstruct the enforcement of the Health and Safety Law would be charged with the crime of deliberately spreading the epidemic. Labeling individuals with such charges is a tactic at which bureaucrats have excelled in every era.
Garbage cans, common in later eras, were also introduced to the streets of Vienna. Those caught littering were not fined but forced to sweep the streets, giving the offenders an unforgettable experience.
Neubruck
The overhaul of health and safety conducted domestically differs significantly in the colonies. There are virtually no factories or enterprises, not even small family workshops, and if there are any, they are mostly mines.
Cases of capitalists mistreating workers may still occur domestically, but here no one dares to do so; workers would leave without hesitation.
In the colonies, where labor is scarce everywhere, who would be willing to drive their own workers away? The dynamics of supply and demand in the labor market determine the positions of both labor and capital.
Enforcing health and safety regulations at mining sites is not difficult. People are naturally afraid of death, and with the high mortality rates in Africa, taking precautions against infectious diseases by taking regular hot baths and drinking boiled water is a minor issue.
Anyway, there are hardly any additional costs, employee dormitories can be built by workers cutting their own timber, and fuel for boiling water can be collected by workers without having to buy it.
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen said happily: Everyone, the domestic decision has been made to officially upgrade the Neubruck Colonial Outpost to Neubruck City. Congratulations to all on your promotions.
The Austrian government intends to focus on the development of the African continent, putting this Neubruck City on the same administrative level as domestic cities.
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen himself became the citys first mayor by virtue of his meritorious governance. As for military officers assuming local administrative positions, there are no restrictions in Austria.
While a transition from civilian to military leadership might be unlikely, the reverse is quite common, with many high-ranking officials in the Austrian government having military backgrounds.
The appointment of active military officers to serve as local administrators is not uncommon. This practice is common in the homeland and even more so in the colonies.
There are not as many complicated relationships here as there are back home; it is purely based on merit. Lieutenant Colonel Stephen doesnt have any extraordinary abilities, but as a military man, his greatest strength lies in strictly following the orders from the homeland.
It could be described as rigid or stiff. The Austrian government doesnt concern itself with such matters, and the end result was that Neubruck developed in an orderly fashion, with the orders of the central government being faithfully carried out.
Amidst the high mortality rates in various colonial outposts, Neubruck stands out as an exception.
According to Franzs criteria for appointments, they deserve promotion. By incorporating several surrounding outposts, they established Austrias first city on the African continent.
After a brief pause, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen continued, However, dont celebrate too soon. With the promotion comes greater responsibility.
Our focus now is not only on promoting knowledge of hygiene and reducing mortality from disease but also on finding ways to develop the colonial economy, particularly through the expansion of farming and plantation activities.
The Chief of the Mining Department, Gold, asked in confusion: Mr. Mayor, why develop the plantation and agricultural economy instead of focusing on developing the mining industry?
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen replied, Mining is not a long-term solution. The gold mines we have now may be exhausted in a few years or a decade, and then what happens to the local economy?
The domestic plan is to occupy Guinea for the long term, so developing a sustainable farming and plantation economy is essential.
Of course, we cannot neglect the mining industry; it is currently the citys main source of income. For the colonial government to achieve fiscal balance short-term, it will have to rely on the mining industry.
Diego, the head of the Tax Department, reminded him, Mr. Mayor, excluding immigration costs, the financial balance revenue and expenses of Neubruck have already been achieved.
With the massive influx of prospectors, our citys trade has developed rapidly, trade taxes make up 7% of the fiscal revenue, customs duties make up 1% of the fiscal revenue, special industry taxes make up 6% of the fiscal revenue, income from tobacco and alcohol monopoly makes up 8% of the fiscal revenue, mining taxes make up 76%...
The total financial income for the third quarter of this year is 94,000 guilders, with total expenses of 96,000 guilders, resulting in a financial deficit of 2,000 guilders. It is expected to be balanced by the fourth quarter.
This is his political achievement that cannot be overlooked. Although the mining industry is still absolutely dominant, the income generated by the development of other industries cannot be ignored.
Despite the focus on industrial development, the ability to translate that development into fiscal revenue is the accomplishment of the tax department. In many colonial outposts, mining taxes often account for more than 90% of fiscal revenue.
Neubruck has managed to decrease this proportion to 76%, achieving fiscal balance an impressive feat, especially considering the current tax exemption for colonial agriculture.
Mayor Stephen acknowledged, Well done. The Tax Department has played a major role in bringing Neubruck to its current state. Everyone here is a contributor.
In the future, I hope that everyone will continue to strive for further progress. The potential for development here is immense, and I think everyone is aware of that.
With abundant resources and fertile land, once these areas are fully developed, Neubruck has the potential to become the wealthiest region in Africa, surpassing many cities in the homeland.
If we can make this place surpass the Bruck in the homeland, given the attention from the country, I believe there is a good chance that all of us present here will receive a title.
Getting rich in the colonies is not difficult, and a portion of the colonial fiscal revenue becomes their bonus. The higher the fiscal income, the higher their personal income.
However, it is not easy to become a noble. Even those with hereditary titles have to accumulate merits slowly. Without military achievements, it usually takes twenty to thirty years to accumulate enough merits.
Now, once the development of Neubruck is successful, everyones merits will be achieved in one fell swoop. Concrete political achievements in hand may even lead to the possibility of obtaining a hereditary title.
Everyone who is willing to come to the colonies certainly has ambitions. Establishing your own territory may be impossible in other countries, but in the New Holy Roman Empire, it is not difficult at all.
For the major nobles in the homeland, if they were willing to exchange their territories for land on the African continent, they could immediately establish their own fiefdom. Franz doesnt mind adding a few more seats to the Imperial Parliament.
After boosting morale, Mayor Stephen said sternly: Silence! Well now discuss how to implement the Health and Safety Law to further reduce immigrant mortality from disease.
Health Department Chief Matt Damon said, Mr. Mayor, weve already done well in promoting public health knowledge. Even compared to any city in the homeland, were not far behind.
One area that can be improved is insect and rodent control. Many diseases are spread by flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, and other pests.
Specific measures include clearing vegetation around residential areas and establishing open buffer zones of one to two miles to effectively isolate insects.
Additionally, city garbage should be burned to eliminate the living environment for ants and other pests.
Encourage residents to exterminate rats manually, such as using rat poison, mousetraps, raising cats, and so on
Environmental protection? Not necessary, at least not in the African colonies. To control insects, there was no vegetation in the city from the beginning.
Unfortunately, transporting cement from the homeland increases the cost of concrete too much. Otherwise, the effect of paving the city center would be even better.
Mayor Stephen expressed his satisfaction, saying, As long as your methods are effective, the city government will allocate funds for implementation.
Matt Damon, head of the Health Department, replied positively: We have conducted experiments. After clearing the vegetation and burning the land, the insect population decreases significantly.
If we promote this throughout the city and prevent foreign insects from entering, coupled with maintaining hygiene within the city, we can reduce the insect population.
Mayor Stephen made an immediate decision, stating, Since its effective, we will immediately finalize the budget and allocate funds for implementation through the Finance Department.
The decisive and efficient style of the military is on full display.
Very well, Mr. Mayor! Matt Damon replied.
Mayor Stephen continued, Now lets talk about agricultural development. The central government requires the Neubruck region to develop 50,000 hectares of farmland or plantations within three years.
In theory, the terrain around Neubruck is flat, and clearing the trees and weeds should be enough.
Not to mention opening up 50,000 hectares of land; even if its 200,000 to 300,000 hectares, it shouldnt be a problem. The only difficulty is the lack of labor.
The homeland has promised us another 20,000 immigrants next year, but its up to us to see that these immigrants open up farms and plantations.
Agricultural Department Chief Engelbert explained: Mr. Mayor, its not that our people dont want to invest in farms, its that they dont have enough money to open farms or plantations.
The citizens have limited financial resources, so why dont we organize lumberjacks to cut down trees uniformly? The valuable wood can be sold, and the remaining wood can be left for the citizens as firewood.
Once these hurdles are overcome, the cost of developing these properties in the later stages will be significantly reduced, which should increase everyones enthusiasm.
Mining Department Chief Gold thought for a moment and said: The lack of funds is easy to solve, we can negotiate with the banks and use the farms as collateral for loans.
The only problem is the exorbitant interest rates charged by Neubrucks banks, which are beyond what the residents can bear. If it can be lowered to domestic levels, then it becomes feasible.
Engelbert explained, This is an unavoidable situation. Our Department of Agriculture has already communicated with the banks.
In Neubruck, both prices and labor costs are much higher than in the homeland, and the accidental death rate among immigrants is alarmingly high. The banks not only face higher operating costs but also bear greater risks.
Banks wont lower interest rates unless our city government steps in to guarantee the loans and reduce their economic risk.
Unfortunately, there are regulations in the home country that prohibit government institutions from providing guarantees to individuals or businesses, let alone guaranteeing loans.
Developing a farm is different from mining for gold. Before a farm is developed, the so-called property rights are virtually worthless; unlike gold mines, where people are willing to take over whether they are developed or not.
Lending to farmers can lead to bad debts in the event of accidents, and banks cannot take on the task of developing abandoned farms themselves.
With increased risk, of course, interest rates cannot be low; this is a normal part of business and the city government cannot intervene.
After a moment of silence, Mayor Stephen said, This problem is beyond our ability to solve. The finances of the city government are not abundant, and we cannot provide this amount of funding.
Lets unify our stance first, and then report to the country on behalf of the city government and apply for policy loans from the central bank. This should comply with the relevant regulations and be approved.
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