Chapter 471 The Role of the Army

When Australasia began to act due to isolation and wartime tension, other regions except Australasia were not affected at all.

For European countries, the most important thing at present is the transformation of the post-war economy.

During the war, due to the shortage of materials, almost all participating countries implemented material rationing and material purchase restrictions.

Even in the UK, where materials are relatively abundant, the amount of materials that each person can buy is limited.

Although this limits the rise in prices and ensures that more people can buy materials, it does affect economic development.

Now that the war is over, the most important thing for countries like Britain is to cancel material restrictions and material rationing and restore the pre-war free market.

Compared with France, the British actually suffered a loss in the distribution of post-war benefits. Even Belgium has gained a small part of its territory, but because Britain is across the sea from the European continent, there is no hope of expansion on the mainland.

Therefore, the British focused more on colonies and German warships for expansion.

Since the last naval battle, the German fleet has basically not been deployed, and the main force has been retained.

According to the agreement with other Allied Powers, Britain was able to obtain about six main battleships and more than 20 new small and medium-sized battleships, almost taking away most of the main forces of the German High Seas Fleet.

This can strengthen the strength of the Royal Fleet and allow the British Empire to maintain its naval advantage, which is another compensation for the British Empire.

The British Empire even prepared a welcome ceremony for these German warships, waiting to officially receive these German warships in a while to strengthen the strength of the Royal Navy.

Almost all the victorious countries have gained something after the war, and even countries like Belgium are preparing various celebrations to divert the attention of the people.

The news of influenza that broke out in Australasia stopped the festive atmosphere of various countries for a day or two, but soon it recovered again because of the explanations of various governments.

European countries generally reported various festive news, what a scene of peace and prosperity.

However, various news reports in Australasia seemed a bit out of place. Not only did they frequently use words such as crisis, must, and immediately, but the domestic atmosphere also seemed to have returned to the war period.

Thanks to Arthur's reputation among the people, in just three days, hundreds of Australasians with symptoms voluntarily quarantined, and various supplies were urgently allocated and distributed to the people.

Arthur specifically emphasized that in addition to ensuring the people's daily necessities, the supply of important materials such as masks and disinfectants during the flu period must be guaranteed.

At the same time, for all material sales points, the principle of reducing prices if possible and not raising prices must be upheld. The government can subsidize them, with only one requirement, that is, no store or sales point can increase prices, and even must reduce prices as appropriate to ensure that every Australasian can afford to buy materials at any time.

The principle of not raising prices was specifically urged by Arthur, and the government must do it. If it can be done, it is a credit, and if it cannot be done, it is a fault.

Under Arthur's tough attitude, even if the order in Australasia is a little tense, the prices of various materials are still the same as before the wartime state.

For Australasians who voluntarily undergo quarantine, the government must uphold an encouraging attitude, guarantee all these people's supplies, and try to meet their requirements.

For those who are students or have special circumstances, the learning needs of these people should be guaranteed as much as possible, so that the studies of these quarantined people will not be delayed for too long.

No one can guarantee how long this flu wave will last. If it is delayed for one or two years, we can't not study during such a long quarantine period, right?

In short, Arthur takes the current flu very seriously and has issued far more stringent requirements to the government than during the war.

The war has not yet threatened the mainland of Australasia, but this flu can. The love for the people that Arthur has always advocated can be fully reflected in this flu.

Even though Arthur has made preparations in advance, according to the news reported by the government, there are still some problems.

At the new round of emergency cabinet meeting, Arthur frowned and looked at Philip, the Minister of Civil Affairs, and asked with a little dissatisfaction: "Minister Philip, why are some areas still not getting enough supplies? I remember that the country's material reserves are still very rich, which is enough for the people of the whole country to consume for more than two years."

The war has just ended, which is also good news for Australasia.

The government still has sufficient supplies to implement this quarantine and wartime state, and it can also ensure that the people have enough supplies.

"Your Majesty, there are enough supplies, but we are a little short of manpower and cannot deliver the supplies to everyone in a short time." Philip, the Minister of Civil Affairs, stood up and explained quickly.

This can only be said that the Australasians are too obedient. After Arthur suggested that everyone stay at home for five days to ensure that there are no symptoms before going out normally, more than 60% of Australasians really chose to stay at home.

Because most of the population is in home quarantine, although sufficient supplies have been delivered to major stores and sales points, the people did not go out, so naturally they could not purchase these supplies.

In addition, the masks and disinfectants distributed by the government for free also need to be delivered door-to-door to ensure that everyone can get enough supplies.

In this case, the government will face a serious problem, that is, the lack of sufficient manpower.

Australasia is a very vast country, which in turn increases the time and labor cost of material transportation.

Arthur frowned and thought for a while, and finally made a decision, that is, to use the army to transport materials for the people.

Arthur's approach is still very bold. The army serves civilians, especially those with low and middle incomes, which is rarely seen in current history.

What's more, Australasia is still a monarchy, so this situation is even rarer, and it can even be said to be unheard of.

Looking at European countries, which one is not crazy about exploiting the lower-class civilians? Even in France, which shouts for freedom and human rights, the people can make sacrifices for the government when necessary.

But there is no way. The current situation is urgent. Only the army has enough manpower and can fully obey the orders of the government and Arthur.

Hearing that Arthur decided to use the army to distribute materials to the people, Philip, the Minister of Civil Affairs, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, but was also shocked by Arthur's bold decision.

In any case, Arthur's decision was not something he could stop, so he could only silently execute Arthur's orders.

At the end of May 1918, with Arthur's order, tens of thousands of Australasian troops took action, began to distribute supplies to the people, and maintained order at the quarantine points and ports.

With the addition of these new forces, it can basically ensure that most Australasians can get enough supplies, the vast majority of Australasians can get basic living supplies, and the isolation between cities can be maintained.

It must be said that the isolation between cities has indeed effectively prevented the spread of influenza.

In addition, under Arthur's call, many people with symptoms have voluntarily isolated themselves at home or went to quarantine points, which has slowed down the spread of influenza in Australia.

In a special quarantine point set up by the city government in Sydney, Australia.

"Mom, why did we move here?" A little boy looked out the window and saw the bustling crowd on the road. Then he looked at the empty room, which only had clothes and food brought temporarily, and even couldn't find a cup for drinking water. He looked at his mother who was cooking with a little grievance.

"Jon, didn't I say it? We moved here so that more people don't have to move here." The little boy's mother heard it, walked up and touched the boy's head, and explained with a smile.

"But why? If we don't come here, will more people move here?" The little boy named Jon asked with some confusion.

"Jon, we have a cold now, and going out will infect others. Aren't you always making noises and feeling uncomfortable? I believe you don't want others to feel this kind of discomfort, right?" Hearing Jon's doubts, Jon's father, who was cleaning, stopped what he was doing, held the little Jon in his arms, handed over a small wooden toy that was brought specially, and explained.

In order not to scare the little guy, he did not explain that this was not an ordinary cold, but a very serious flu with a high mortality rate in the words of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

"Of course, Dad. Can we go out after we get better? Then I want to go to Sydney Palace Square. I heard that there is a statue of His Majesty there, and I can see His Majesty!" Hearing that going out would infect others with the cold, little Jon immediately gave up the idea of ​​going out now, but at the same time he was more curious and excited about his life after going out in the future.

"Of course, no problem, little Jon. When our cold is cured, I will take you to see His Majesty and the Heroes Monument with your own eyes." Jon's father nodded decisively and said with a firm face.

Education in Australasia is still very successful. In Australasia, people worship Arthur and heroes, and want to become scientific researchers and soldiers, because this can make them nobles faster.

As for the stars who make movies, there are actually some. The entertainment industry in Australasia is still developing rapidly, and the film industry has also grown significantly.

But this kind of entertainment industry is not very popular in Australasia, and the most popular ones are often those patriotic movies produced by the government.

Although Arthur's prestige in Australasia is a bit too high, and even forms a personal cult in the hearts of many people.

But this is much better than the pessimistic current situation of social entertainment to death and the upper level ignoring the lower level.

The communication between Jon's family did not last long, and soon the door was knocked, which also surprised and puzzled Jon's family.

When entering this quarantine point, the Sydney City Government specifically instructed that it was forbidden to go out without permission, and it was forbidden to communicate with other people in the nearby quarantine points.

This is also to ensure that people in the quarantine point will not spread the flu to each other, so that some people who were not infected can reduce the risk of infection.

Jon's family is in a good situation, because it is located in the capital Sydney, and there is basically no shortage of supplies.

Although life in the quarantine point is definitely not as good as usual, it can be regarded as having enough food every day, that is, having enough free time, but not knowing what to do, the whole family is a little bored.

Opening the door, Jon's family was shocked.

Standing at the door were neither city government officials nor the police who had delivered supplies, but a group of soldiers in military uniforms but without any weapons.

These soldiers were all wearing masks, and the two leading them were holding spray bottles of disinfectant and disinfecting the outside of the room.

"Who are you?" Jon's father asked curiously.

"We are soldiers of the First Division of the Army. We have been ordered to maintain the isolation area, carry out disinfection and distribute supplies. These are your supplies, sir. Please check them. If there are no problems, we will leave first." The soldier said about his own After explaining his identity, he immediately ordered his men to move all the supplies in front of the door, and asked: "Do you need help moving into the house? There are a lot of things, and it may be troublesome for you to move them yourself."

The Jon family had never seen such kind soldiers, not to mention that these soldiers were so considerate in moving supplies into the room.

"Uh, that's troublesome."

In less than a few minutes, a team of soldiers moved all the supplies into the room and handed a list of supplies to Jon's family.

Because we didn’t know exactly how long we would be quarantined, we distributed a lot of supplies, including ten masks per person, two bottles of disinfectant per household, 100 kilograms of grain per person, 5 kilograms of beef and mutton per person, and a large bucket. Milk and some flour etc.

These supplies are enough for Jon's family to live in the isolation point for a period of time. Not only is there no shortage of food, but there is also sufficient supply of beef, mutton and milk.

It is worth mentioning that in addition to these necessary supplies for daily life, the supplies also thoughtfully include textbooks and stationery that little Jon needs, as well as some printed books, etc.

This book can be read in your free time, just in time to find some fun for Jon and his family during their long free time.

After the Jon family had counted all the supplies, the leading soldier reminded: "If the symptoms are serious, please look for the soldiers on guard nearby and they will take you for treatment. Don't worry, all supplies and treatments are free. This is a privilege extended to all citizens by His Majesty the King.”

"If you have finished reading these books, you can also apply for replacement. But remember, please do not leave this room without obtaining permission from the government. This is the only requirement the government has for you."

After the instructions were completed, the soldiers disinfected the outside of the house again, and then returned in an orderly manner, leaving only the stunned Jon family, who seemed to have not recovered from their own surprise.

I only updated 4,000 words today. I’m really sorry, there was a power outage. This is written on my mobile phone.

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