Territory of Papua

Everyone present erupted in cheers after hearing Arthur's words. Even the cabinet officials, who were already high up in the government, were beaming with joy.

The peaceful expansion of national territory was something everyone wanted to see, especially when it involved lands as close to Australia as British New Guinea and New Zealand.

British New Guinea was located not far north of Australia and had a population of over 700,000.

The value of this land wasn't particularly high, nor was its population large, but it could become an important northern gateway for Australia and a stepping stone to Southeast Asia.

To the west and northwest of British New Guinea lay the Dutch East Indies, a colony of the Netherlands.

The development potential of the Dutch East Indies colony was not to be underestimated, with a total area of nearly two million square kilometers and a population exceeding twenty million.

More importantly, the population of the Dutch East Indies consisted of so-called natives, essentially slaves not considered human lives by Westerners.

By acquiring an island in the Dutch East Indies, Australia could gain a large amount of free labor and a source of cannon fodder for its industrial development.

In Arthur's view, those who couldn't integrate into Australia's diverse culture and become true Australians served their greatest purpose by sacrificing their lives for Australia's development.

New Zealand, of course, went without saying. Although its mineral resources weren't as abundant as Australia's, it was an excellent country for livestock farming, perfectly compensating for Australia's shortage of arable land.

If Australia could fully integrate British New Guinea and New Zealand, the combined nation could easily accommodate a population of over a hundred million.

It had to be said that even in her final moments, Queen Victoria had secured significant benefits for Arthur and his Australia, providing the nation with the capital for its rise and the potential to become a superpower.

However, for Britain, Queen Victoria's passing was a pure loss. As a queen who had ruled for over sixty years, Queen Victoria's prestige in Britain was unparalleled, and the monarchical power she wielded was beyond what the incoming Edward could match.

It could be said that when Queen Victoria acted on a whim, she could dismiss and appoint prime ministers according to her own will without fear of criticism from the government or the people.

But if Edward dared to do the same, the next day newspapers everywhere would be filled with accusations against him, and protests against the tyrant would erupt throughout the empire.

Britain, after all, was a constitutional monarchy, and the powers of the British monarch were significantly limited.

Even with someone like Queen Victoria, who, relying on her long-accumulated prestige and immense popularity, could reclaim a degree of influence from the government, these temporary powers could not be inherited by the new monarch after the succession.

Crown Prince Edward had two immediate concerns: first, handling Queen Victoria's funeral in a manner that satisfied the royal families of Europe and Britain, as well as the British populace who adored her.

Concurrently, Crown Prince Edward would have to communicate effectively with the government, as the government that Queen Victoria could control might not be as easily managed by Crown Prince Edward.

However, Arthur was not privy to Crown Prince Edward's troubles. After settling the guards and attendants gifted by Queen Victoria, Arthur convened a cabinet meeting the next day to discuss the takeover of British New Guinea and New Zealand.

According to the agreement with Crown Prince Edward, once Australian soldiers arrived, all British soldiers and forces would withdraw from British New Guinea, and the territory would be officially handed over to Australia for management.

Whether it would be transformed into a new state of Australia or remain a colony was a matter for Australia to ponder.

This was precisely why Arthur decided it was best to take over British New Guinea as soon as possible.

With the residual prestige of Queen Victoria, it would be very easy for Australia to fully control and take over British New Guinea.

But if they waited until after Queen Victoria's funeral or even longer, as her prestige gradually faded, it would be uncertain whether British New Guinea would be willing to accept Australian management.

In the familiar conference room on the top floor of the government building, with the usual cabinet members present, Arthur sat at the head of the table and posed a challenge to everyone with a smile: "Gentlemen, according to Her Majesty the Queen's final will, British New Guinea is to be managed by us, and I will serve as the Governor-General of New Zealand for twenty years. Now it's time to discuss the matters of British New Guinea and New Zealand. How shall we manage these two regions? I'd like to hear everyone's opinions."

British New Guinea was relatively straightforward; it was already considered Australia's to take, with little room for dispute.

New Zealand, however, was different. Arthur was only to be Governor-General for twenty years. If Australia's policies proved detrimental to New Zealand, it was highly likely that after twenty years, Australia would lose its administrative rights over New Zealand, leading to its return to Britain's fold.

"Your Highness, why don't we directly rename British New Guinea as New Guinea State, making it our seventh state?" suggested Minister of Agriculture Henris. "British New Guinea is very close to Australia and possesses excellent ports. Making it a state directly would be as smooth as when our previous colonies became states."

"Hmm, a good idea. Does anyone else have any suggestions?" Arthur nodded impassively, turning his gaze to the others.

"Your Highness, I believe we cannot immediately designate New Guinea as our new state. We should manage it as a colony for the time being," Prime Minister Evan stepped forward, offering a different opinion. "British New Guinea is different from our Australian states. Although British New Guinea has over 700,000 people, only a little over 30,000 are British or European immigrants; the rest are local indigenous people. If we directly manage British New Guinea as a new state, what will become of these indigenous people? If we count them all as our legal citizens, wouldn't that be too unfair to all Australians?"

Prime Minister Evan's point was simple: if British New Guinea became a state directly, the disposition of the indigenous population would become a thorny issue.

But if British New Guinea remained a colony, who would care about the lives of the indigenous people of a colony?

"Your Highness, my proposal is to continue managing New Guinea as a colony. What we need now is the Territory of Papua colony, not New Guinea State," Prime Minister Evan stated solemnly, looking at Arthur.

Second update, seeking support!